Sriharikota, India – India’s Chandrayaan-3 moon mission launched successfully on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission, which is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019, aims to soft-land a lander and rover on the lunar surface.
The launch was a critical step for the mission, and it was met with cheers and applause from the scientists and engineers at ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation. “This is a great day for India, “Chandrayaan-3 has started its journey towards the moon. Our dear LVM3 has already put Chandrayaan-3 craft into the precise around earth…Let us wish all the best for the Chandrayaan-3 craft to make its farther orbit raising manoeuvres and travel towards the moon in the coming days…” Said Shri S. Somanath, the chairman of ISRO.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is carrying a lander called Vikram and a rover called Pragyan. The lander is designed to land in the South Pole region of the moon, where there is believed to be water ice. The rover will then explore the lunar surface for signs of water and other potential resources.
The mission is expected to last for one year, and it will be the first time that India has soft-landed a spacecraft on the moon. If successful, the Chandrayaan-3 mission will be a major milestone for India’s space program, and it will help to position the country as a leading player in the global space race.
Highlights of the Launch
- The launch was carried out by a GSLV Mk III rocket, which is the most powerful rocket in India’s fleet.
- The launch was a success, and the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was successfully placed into orbit around the moon.
- The lander and rover are scheduled to land on the moon in the coming days.