IAU Approves Chandrayaan-3 Landing Site Name 'Shiva Shakti'

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 25 March 2024, 09:52:27 AM IST

IAU Approves Chandrayaan-3 Landing Site Name 'Shiva Shakti'
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has officially approved the name 'Shiva Shakti' for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 19. This approval follows the successful mission completion on August 26, 2023.
The IAU's Planetary System Nomenclature working group confirmed the name "Shiva Shakti," citing its origin in Indian mythology, representing the masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) aspects of nature. The name signifies the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander and is aimed at commemorating the mission's achievements.
Prime Minister Modi had initially unveiled the name 'Shiv Shakti Point' on August 28, 2023, during his address at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Command Centre. He declared that the landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission would be known by this name, emphasizing the significance of the terms 'Shiv' and "Shakti" in Indian culture. 'Shiv' represents the welfare of humanity, while 'Shakti' symbolizes the strength necessary to achieve this welfare.
Furthermore, PM Modi announced that the Chandrayaan-2 landing failure site would be designated as "Tiranga Point," while August 23, the day of the Vikram Lander's touchdown on the Moon, would be celebrated as "National Space Day" in India. He reiterated these announcements during his speech, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the "Shiva Shakti Point" as a unifying symbol from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari.
PM Modi highlighted the inspirational value of the 'Shiva Shakti Point', asserting that it would serve as a beacon for future generations, encouraging the use of science for humanity's welfare. This decision underscores India's commitment to celebrating its achievements in space exploration and promoting scientific advancement for the betterment of society.
The official approval by the IAU solidifies the significance of the 'Shiva Shakti' name for the Chandrayaan-3 landing site, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavors.

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