‘Astonishing’: European space agency director lauds India’s achievements in space

European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher has lauded the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its recent successful launches, particularly in lunar exploration, describing India’s achievements in space as ‘astonishing’.

Aschbacher expressed his admiration for ISRO during the 323rd Council meeting of ESA held in Paris, which was attended by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. He took to social media platform X to share his appreciation, highlighting the significance of India’s advancements in space technology.

The ESA Council meeting, convened on March 26 and 27 in Paris, France, brought together delegates from ESA Member States to discuss strategic collaborations and future initiatives in space exploration.

Aschbacher emphasized the importance of fostering strong ties and deepening cooperation with international partners. He remarked, “What India is accomplishing in space, especially in Lunar exploration, is astonishing. We hosted ISRO’s Chairman, Dr. S. Somanath, at ESA Council today. It was a milestone occasion for delegates to learn more about current and future plans for ESA-ISRO cooperation.”

Acknowledging the strategic significance of international collaborations, Aschbacher added, “The strategic importance of strengthening ties and deepening cooperation with international partners cannot be underestimated.”

Astronaut Thomas Pesquet also shared insights from the meeting, talking about the enthusiastic exchanges between ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.

India’s recent achievements in space have garnered global acclaim. On August 23, 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 mission made history with a successful soft landing on the Moon’s surface, marking India as the first nation to reach near the Moon’s unexplored South Pole.

In another major milestone, India launched its first dedicated solar mission, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, into the Halo orbit. This achievement was celebrated widely in India, following closely on the heels of the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s success.

(Inputs: Ani)