India's landing shows the moon is not just the final frontier for super-powers

Schools throughout India were kept open so students could experience the event together.

This image from video provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation shows the surface of the moon as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft prepares for landing on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Picture: SRO via AP

When India's small six-wheeled rover rolled out across the surface of the moon this week, it was following a long and honourable tradition.

India's first satellite was rolled out to the launch pad on an ox cart. Another satellite was small enough to be wheeled out on the back carrier of a bicycle.