Technically speaking, India has put their flag on the moon, joining a very elite club of countries who have claimed pieces of outer space. Why is it, then, that when we talk about this “landing,” we’re so compelled to use air quotes?
When the U.S. landed on the moon forty years ago we delivered a classic line and got a great picture. Aside from being the first, we did it with style. To contrast, the India space program sent an unmanned probe to crash into the moon at 3,100 miles per hour.
The probe was painted with India’s flag. So yes, India’s flag is on the moon, though it is more than likely scattered into pieces across the moon’s South poll. This places India’s space probe landing close to the equivalent of shooting the moon with a rifle—just that the bullet cost millions and can collect scientific data.
Regardless of the crappy landing, congratulations to India for being the sixth country to put your flag on the moon (conspiracy theorists, start your engines).
