Which international mission successfully executed a soft landing near the south pole, proving operational capability in that terrain?
Answer
Chandrayaan-3 mission by ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a significant international milestone by successfully executing a soft landing in the challenging environment near the Moon’s south pole. This success validated that the complex topographical and engineering hurdles associated with landing in this region—such as navigating steep slopes and managing the extreme thermal gradients—are indeed surmountable using current technological capabilities. Obtaining this real-world data on surface roughness and thermal conditions is considered as vital as the initial discovery of the ice itself for planning future sustained operations.
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