Pakistani Astronaut Namira Salim Congratulates ISRO On Chandrayaan 2

The recent lunar feat of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has created history in India’s and South Asia’s space achievements. The Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission has finally wiped away the tears of disappointment by the safe landing of Vikram lander on the south pole of the moon. This achievement of India is being recognised and applauded globally. Namira Salim, first Pakistani Astronaut, has congratulated India for the historic accomplishment.

Key Takeaways:

• Namira Salim congratulated ISRO for its historical Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission. 
• Salim is the first Pakistani Astronaut. 
• The Vikram lander of Chandrayaan 2 mission has successfully landed on lunar surface in single piece.
• ISRO is making efforts to re-establish communication with the lander.

Namira Salim's congratulates ISRO

In conversation with the Karachi-based digital science magazine, Scientia, Salim said, “I congratulate India and ISRO on its historical attempt to make a successful soft landing of the Vikram lander at the South Pole of the Moon. The Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission is indeed a giant leap for South Asia which not only makes the region but the entire global space industry proud.”

“Regional developments in the space sector in South Asia are remarkable and no matter which nation leads - in space, all political boundaries dissolve and in space - what unites us, overrides and divides us on Earth.”

In the light of space diplomacy on earth, Salim further added, “Regional developments in the space sector in South Asia are remarkable and no matter which nation leads - in space, all political boundaries dissolve and in space - what unites us, overrides and divides us on Earth.”

Status of the Chandrayan 2 Lunar Mission

Her appreciation came after the disappointment at the loss of communication between India's moon lander Vikram and the orbiter on Saturday when the lander was just 2.1 km away from the Moon’s surface. However, on Sunday, pictures of the lander that safely landed on the South Pole of the Moon, was captured by Chandrayaan 2 orbiter which is orbiting the Moon.

According to the Times of India, an ISRO official said “It had a hard-landing very close to the planned (touch-down) site as per the images sent by on-board camera of the orbiter. The lander is there as a single-piece, not broken into pieces. It is in a tilted position. We are making all-out efforts to see whether communication can be re-established with the lander.”

Namira Salim- The Spacewoman

Namira Salim is the first Pakistani astronaut to step into space on the Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, world's first commercial spaceline. Based in Monaco and Dubai, Salim is the first Pakistani to have reached the North Pole on April 2017 and the South Pole on January 2008. She is also the first Asian to skydive over Mount Everest, during the First Everest Skydives 2008.

Namira Salim is the first Pakistani astronaut to step into space on the Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, world's first commercial spaceline.

Salim is a vocal proponent of Space diplomacy on Earth and strongly believes that political boundaries dissolve in space and peace can be sustained on Earth through space. With this global and space thought, she is the Founder and Executive Chairperson of Space Trust, a non-profit trust that advocates Space as the Frontier of Peace. The trust engages and advocates with the world leaders, the United Nations and global space industry to use space as a sustainable tool for peacemaking on Earth.

Namira Salim: the artist of the beyond

Besides being an eminent spacewoman, Salim is a wonderful artist: a poet who also designs jewellery (Namira Monaco Jewels) out of her love for the stars. According to the website, Namira Salim, Namira Monaco Jewels embellish the modern woman and empower her to embrace the stars.

Picture Credit: image.dawn.in

Rudrani Kumari is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv. 

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