In a significant achievement for India, Dr S Somanath, secretary of the department of space and chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), received the IAF World Space award for 2024, in Milan, on Monday.
The recognition was conferred for the Indian space agency’s success with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which marked a significant leap in lunar exploration.
“ISRO is honored to announce that Dr.S. Somanath, Secretary DOS and Chairman ISRO, has received the prestigious IAF World Space Award for Chandrayaan-3’s remarkable achievement . This recognition celebrates India’s contributions to space exploration. Celebrations underway in Milan as we continue to strive for new frontiers,” announced Isro on social media.

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) had announced the award in June for outstanding contributions in space science and space technology. Isro chief Somanath received the award on Monday.
“Chandrayaan-3 mission by Indian Space Research Organisation exemplifies the synergy of scientific curiosity and cost-effective engineering, symbolizing India’s commitment to excellence and the vast potential that space exploration offers humanity. Rapidly unveiling previously undiscovered facets of the Moon’s composition and geology, the mission stands as a global testament to innovation. Achieving a historic milestone, Chandrayaan-3 becomes the first to touch down near the lunar South Pole, showcasing both aspiration and technological prowess on an international scale, the IAF had said.
Calling it a “global testament to innovation”, the IAF said that Indian Space Research Organisation’s Chandrayaan-3 mission “exemplifies the synergy of scientific curiosity and cost-effective engineering, symbolizing India’s commitment to excellence and the vast potential that space exploration offers humanity.”
“Achieving a historic milestone, Chandrayaan-3 becomes the first to touch down near the lunar South Pole, showcasing both aspiration and technological prowess on an international scale,” added the international space advocacy organisation.
Last year, the IAF bestowed this award to Elon Musk, recognising for his contributions to the field of astronautics as head of SpaceX. The agency acknowledged Musk’s “visionary understanding of the role and importance of astronautics to humanity’s future combined with a willingness to commit his own resources, life and drive and ability to make it happen through Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX).”