February 27th 2025.
On Thursday, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino shared his insights on the Chandrayaan-3 mission while interacting with students from Kendriya Vidyalaya in New Delhi. He expressed his admiration for the mission, which made history by being the first to land near the South Pole of the Moon on August 23, 2023. This achievement not only makes India proud, but it also cements its place as the fourth nation to successfully land on the Moon after the USSR, the US, and China.
Massimino highlighted the significance of this mission for the global space community, stating that it could provide valuable information on water sources, which are crucial for establishing human habitation on the Moon. He also shed light on the challenges of landing on the Moon's South Pole, emphasizing that this achievement is a testament to India's technological capabilities.
As a veteran of two space flights and a record holder for the most hours spent spacewalking, Massimino shared his thoughts on the possibility of life on the Moon. He believes that it could become a reality sooner than settling on Mars, as there are still technological hurdles to overcome before we can make Mars our home. He also emphasized the importance of international collaboration in future space programs.
In addition to discussing the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Massimino also touched upon the role of AI in space exploration. He believes that AI can make the process more efficient, cost-effective, and safe. Aspiring space explorers in the audience were also given advice on the subjects and skills they should pursue to fulfill their dreams.
Massimino also shared his personal experiences of living and working in zero gravity, and how they adapted to their surroundings in space. Currently, he is a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and a senior advisor for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. He also stressed the importance of exploring various fields, such as soil sciences and marine biology, in order to better understand our world and beyond.
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