The third lunar exploratory mission conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chandrayaan 3, achieved a soft landing on the surface of the moon at 6:04 pm on 23 August 2023. To commemorate the occasion, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM) Kolkata organised live screenings of the event for school students and general audiences. Prior to the screening, presentations on the moon and previous moon missions were conducted for the audience by BITM staff.
The screenings were held both outdoors and indoors at BITM. However, half an hour before the robotic lander of Chandrayaan 3, Vikram, began its powered descent, the skies opened up in Kolkata. First, it drizzled and then it poured. But nothing could dampen the spirits on the museum premises.
When the lander made contact with the south-polar region of the moon, the audience erupted in celebration. They jumped and sang and waved the national flag, as Technical Officer Tarun Das, Education Section, BITM, managed to exclaim “History!”, which was indeed being made that day. BITM Kolkata has been lauded for contributing to fostering an environment of scientific inquiry and innovation, bringing all interested people together to witness the prowess of India in space technology.
Chandrayaan 3 was launched on 14 July 2023 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and took 40 days to land on the south pole of the moon.