Startup Lessons from the Successful Landing of Chandrayaan 3
India woke up to historic news on August 23rd, 2023. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully landed their Chandrayaan 3 lunar lander, Vikram, on the moon’s south pole.
This was a landmark achievement for India’s space program. After the heartbreak of the last mission in 2019, ISRO perfected the landing sequence this time. The entire country erupted in celebration as the Indian tricolor was raised on the lunar surface.
For entrepreneurs and startups, ISRO’s success holds valuable lessons. In the true spirit of “Try, try again until you succeed,” they persisted despite past failures. Their commitment exemplifies traits all entrepreneurs need—resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven work.
Never Give Up After Failure
ISRO did not let their failure with Chandrayaan 2 deter them. They reviewed what went wrong, iterated, and tried again. Startups fail more often than they succeed. Grit and determination to keep going are startup virtues.
As entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss says, “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” Obstacles are part of the journey. When we fall, we must get back up with more wisdom. ISRO embodied this spirit.
Innovate Constantly
ISRO revamped 80% of the Chandrayaan 3 lander compared to its predecessor. They added new technologies like advanced navigation and guidance, and robust legs to handle the lunar terrain.
Startups need this innovation mindset. Sticking to the old playbook rarely works in a dynamic world. We have to constantly experiment, update approaches, and refine products. Innovation is the lifeblood of startups.
Build a Passionate Team
Behind the scenes of this lunar mission were hundreds of ISRO scientists who made it their life’s work. Their passion and round-the-clock dedication powered this achievement.
Building a similarly devoted startup team is vital. Hire those genuinely excited about your vision. Passion is contagious and galvanizes teams. It inspires loyalty in both good and tough times.
Collaborate Widely
ISRO collaborated with research institutes and suppliers globally for Chandrayaan 3. They tapped the best talent worldwide.
Startups should similarly leverage partnerships. Trying to do everything in-house is unwise. Seek win-win associations to access skills and solutions. An openness to collaborate expands possibilities.
Think Long-Term
Space exploration requires long-term vision and commitment. ISRO exemplified this thinking. They did not abandon the lunar mission just because one landing failed. Their eyes were on the larger prize.
Startups need this long-term mindset. Overnight success is rare. Have strategic patience to pursue your audacious goals. Persist through ups and downs. Play the long game.
Manage the Unknowns
Landing on the moon is filled with “unknown unknowns.” Despite meticulous planning, ISRO had to maneuver surprises they could not anticipate.
Startups operate amidst similar uncertainty. The landscape keeps changing in unexpected ways. Nimble thinking and adaptability are thus crucial skills. Maneuver unpredictable events intelligently.
Take Calculated Risks
While logical and careful, ISRO also took calculated risks to achieve the moon landing. They pushed boundaries to expand possibilities.
Startups have to similarly take informed risks. Playing safe all the time limits potential. As Jeff Bezos says, “You want to be ambitious enough that your plans seem a little crazy to outsiders.” Be bold but realistic.
Focus on the Mission
For ISRO, the priority mission was landing on the moon, not seeking publicity. They let their results speak rather than make loud proclamations.
Startups should also avoid hype and focus on executing their core mission. Getting distracted by PR and hype is foolish. Keep your eyes on creating real value for customers. Build a great product. Results will follow.
Learn from Everything
ISRO learned from the Chandrayaan 2 setback to improve Chandrayaan 3. Further, they constantly improved processes with each satellite launch.
Similarly, startups should milk lessons from everything—success, failure, competitors—to rapidly grow. Be a learning organization. Continuously optimize and scale your business.
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Conclusion
ISRO’s remarkable moon landing offers several lessons for startups. Their achievement took years of commitment, collaboration, innovation, risk-taking, and learning. Startups need these same traits to succeed against the odds. While achieving “orbit” is challenging, the view from the “moon” makes it totally worth it.
The lunar landing proves India’s mettle in space technology. This mission unlocked mysteries of the moon’s south pole. Scientifically, it is a big leap for India and humanity globally.
All Indians applaud ISRO’s historic accomplishment. Their success reminds us that with passion, perseverance, and a collaborative spirit, audacious goals can be achieved. The ISRO team exemplifies the best of scientific capabilities, courage, and “can do” spirit within Indians.
Onward and upward. The moon is just the first step. ISRO has already set sights on more interplanetary missions including Venus and Mars. They are an embodiment of India’s aspirational space vision. The entire nation stands proudly with ISRO.
