Small step, but a giant stride!

 It was 2.34 p.m. Ever since they woke up at whatever time in the morning, most all Indians had been reminding each other of the historic mo(ve)ment to happen at 2.34 instant. The WhatsApp statuses were overflowing with the "watch-it" messages, just as 2.40 onwards, all the internet modes, every audio-visual medium would buzz with constant pics of the event flashing across every possible screen and/or each audio wave-length.  

Yes, it was the ISRO propelling the Chandrayan III in to the space, on its way to the moon. Why is it "a small step, but a giant stride"? Well, first and foremost, it saves on fuel. It uses a unique mode of propulsion whereby by orbiting around the earth almost like a planet, it escapes the pull of gravity, propelling itself higher with each gyration. Thus would it enter the lunar sphere as well. The process takes time, almost close to two months, but makes it highly cost effective. Apparently, some recent flop films had a bigger budget!  

This "made in India" device should manage a smooth landing on the lunar surface this time. Once that happens, India would be in the first five countries to 'match' that feat, but India would still be unique because the Chandrayan would land near the lunar southern part. The rover would search the lunar surface, and hopefully the Indian 're-search' of the lunar surface would bring back solutions regarding better ways to manage the fuel deficiency on the earth.

Hopefully, it would not add to the rat race which consists of the  "spatial" ( in all senses of the term) colonisation of the moon. Sure, the days of the lunar tourism appear very far away, especially given the Titan disaster, but with AI advent, there is no knowing! 

Hence, the scientific-technological wonder is indeed "a small step for India, but a giant stride for the entire mankind"! Here is wishing the spacecraft a highly successful mission and a safe re-turn to Terra Firma!

Pratima@ "The intelligent use of science and technology is the tool to acquire a new direction," says Jacques Fresco. I would add "a new dream" as well to the quote.