This week, the lunar landing achievement by an Indian-built lunar lander on the moon's surface was celebrated not only by India's Catholic bishops but also by the entire nation. This success is considered a significant advancement for India's still-developing space program.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) expressed their admiration for the strides accomplished by the country's scientists and engineers in the field of space research, which they find truly commendable and a source of pride. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur, serving as the apostolic administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly and the conference president, emphasized the boundless nature of knowledge and exploration, which transcends boundaries and unites people from diverse backgrounds. He underscored that this achievement stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative efforts driven by a shared vision.
The successful touchdown of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft marked a historic milestone as the first triumphant mission to the moon's south pole. This region holds particular interest for scientists due to the believed presence of substantial amounts of water ice. Additionally, this accomplishment holds a redemptive quality for India's space program, given the setback faced in September 2019 due to a software glitch during a previous moon landing attempt. The solar-powered lunar rover will now conduct a two-week exploration of the vicinity around the landing site, conducting analyses of the chemical composition of lunar dust and gravel. However, it's anticipated that both the rover and lander will not endure beyond the upcoming lunar night, known for its harsh cold during its two-week duration.
India's successful achievement follows closely after Russia's failed Luna-25 mission in the same area, with Russia striving to revitalize its space sector amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
Echoing sentiments similar to those of the Indian bishops, Pope Francis has also shared his thoughts on space exploration. In commemorating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 2019, the Pope urged Catholics to draw inspiration from this remarkable human feat as they work to combat injustices and advocate for the vulnerable.
"Five decades ago, humanity achieved an extraordinary dream by setting foot on the moon," the Pope reflected at the time. He expressed his hope that the memory of this significant step for humanity would ignite a desire to progress collectively towards even greater aspirations, including upholding the dignity of the vulnerable, fostering justice among nations, and ensuring a brighter future for our shared planet.