Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar exploration mission, lifted off sucessfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota as per scheduled launch time. This mission will make India the fourth country to land its spacecraft on the surface of the moon and demonstrate the country's ability for safe and soft landing on the lunar surface.
The spacecraft was launched on a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle.
The journey from Earth to the moon for the spacecraft is estimated to take about a month and the landing is expected on August 23. Upon landing, it will operate for one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days. One day on the Moon is equal to 14 days on Earth.
This is Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) follow-up attempt after the Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing in 2019.
Here are the Highlights on Chandrayaan-3 launch:
The Chandrayaan-3 that aims for a soft landing on the moon's surface, paving the way for future interplanetary missions, carries six payloads that would help ISRO understand the lunar soil and also get the blue planet's photographs from the lunar orbit.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission.
"10..9...8...7...6..5..4..3..2...1.. And #Chandrayaan3 launched ! What an exciting sight and moment ! Our @isro launches #Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Salute and congratulations to #TeamIsro! Jai Hind," Fadnavis tweeted.
10..9...8...7...6..5..4..3..2...1..🚀
- Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 14, 2023
And #Chandrayaan3 launched !
What an exciting sight and moment !
Our @isro launches #Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Salute and congratulations to #TeamIsro !
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/uvTssWeYRR
The infusion of Chandrayaan-3 into the lunar orbit is planned from August 1, ISRO Chief S Somanath said, reported news agency PTI.
The ISRO Chief, S Somanath, said the spacecraft is expected to land on the Moon on August 23 around 5:47 pm "if everything goes normally", reported news agency ANI. He was speaking to the media after the launch of Chandrayaan-3.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, speaking at the briefing said that the last launch was not a failure, and added, "Your expectation level was very high."
Congratulating the Indian Space Research Organisation for the successful launch, Siddaramaiah said: "It is a proud moment for India and a new milestone in India's space research and innovation."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch of Chandrayaan-3 as a "new chapter" in India's space odyssey and said it has elevated the dreams and ambitions of every Indian.
"Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India's space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian," PM Modi said in a tweet.
"This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists' relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!" he said.
Chandrayaan-3, in its precise orbit, has begun its journey to the Moon.
- ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2023
Health of the Spacecraft is normal.
- Chandrayaan-3 is the ISRO's follow-up attempt after the Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing on the lunar surface in 2019 and was eventually deemed to have failed its core mission objectives.
- Chandrayaan-3 will be inserted into the Lunar Transfer Trajectory after the orbit raising maneuvers. Covering a distance of over 300,000 km, it will reach the Moon in the coming weeks. Scientific instruments onboard will study the Moon's surface and enhance our knowledge.
- Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with a lander, a rover and a propulsion module. It weighs around 3,900 kilograms.
#WATCH | ISRO Chairman S Somanath at the launch of Chandrayaan 3 Moon mission at Sriharikota pic.twitter.com/IZNKMUVIpX
- ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023
Just In| India's Chandrayaan-3 mission blasts off from Andhra Pradesh, aims to reach moon in 40 days
People watch as the countdown for the launch of the Chandrayaan 3, India's 3rd lunar exploration mission begins. Launch is scheduled for 2:35 pm
#WATCH | Sriharikota: People watch as the countdown for the launch of the Chandrayaan 3, India's 3rd lunar exploration mission begins. Launch is scheduled for 2:35 pm IST pic.twitter.com/WuuVmTLoaa
- ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023
India's space agency has made final preparations for the launch of Chandrayaan-3, the country's third mission to Earth's natural satellite, the moon. Read more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised Indian scientists hours before the launch of India's third lunar mission - Chandrayaan-3. Read more
Chandrayaan-3, India's third moon mission, will launch from Satish Dhawan space centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota at 2.35pm today. It is being led by Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, India's very own 'rocket woman'.
Could the touchdown of Chandrayaan-3's lander Vikram and the release of its rover Pragyan present India with its first 'selfie' opportunity from the Moon? This is the question NDTV posed to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath, who said there will be plenty of images beamed down to Earth. Read more
LVM3 M4/Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
- ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2023
The countdown is progressing at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.
Propellant filling in the L110 stage is completed.
Propellant filling in the C25 stage is commencing.
When Chandrayaan-3's lander Vikram touches down on the Moon a little over a month from now and deploys the rover Pragyan (wisdom), India will not only unlock a fount of knowledge but also get insights into possible human habitation on the celestial body. Read more
India Shoots For The Moon With #Chandrayaan3 Launch Today@ParmeshwarBawa reports
- NDTV (@ndtv) July 14, 2023
On The Panel: Pallav Bagla, Divyanshu Poddar pic.twitter.com/m11zcRAuGU
- India's Chandrayaan-3 will lift off at 2.35 pm today from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, carrying the hopes of an entire nation. A successful mission will make India the fourth nation to land on moon.
- The moon lander Vikram will be perched on a GSLV Mark 3 heavy lift launch vehicle -- dubbed the Bahubali rocket.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation is keeping its fingers crossed, after its last moon mission in July 2019 went awry.
