ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 sets course for moon

Launching from Sriharikota, Chandrayaan-3 begins its journey to the Moon, hoping to make history with a successful touchdown on the lunar surface

| Updated: 14 July, 2023 5:15 pm IST

The spacecraft is expected to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface around August 23 or August 24

NEW DELHI: On July 14 at 2:35 pm, the Launch Vehicle Mark – III (LVM3) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully lifted off from Sriharikota, marking India’s third attempt to reach the Moon.

The Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft, which separated from the LVM3 after fifteen minutes, is now on its way to the Moon.

The spacecraft, valued at ₹615 crore, consists of a lander and rover and is expected to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface around August 23 or August 24, according to ISRO.

WATCH 📺The Launch Vehicle Mark – III (LVM3) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), carrying the Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft lifted off from Sriharikota successfully on July 14, making it the third time that India set course for the Moon.#Chandrayaan3 pic.twitter.com/9iqImwc5BE

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) July 14, 2023

If successful, India will become the fourth nation, following the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, to accomplish a soft landing on the Moon.

Notably, the Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to land near the South Pole region of the Moon, a feat no country has achieved before. Once the lander reaches the designated lunar site, it will deploy the rover, which will conduct a chemical analysis of the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists’ relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity! https://t.co/gko6fnOUaK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

This mission is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission launched in 2019, which provided valuable data but fell short of its primary objective of landing on the Moon’s surface.

In contrast, the Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008 achieved great success, discovering evidence of water molecules on the Moon.

Chandrayaan-3 is today embarking on a journey that carries the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians. The whole nation prays for its success. pic.twitter.com/1l6LwuTY3O

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 14, 2023

Given these findings, Chandrayaan-3’s mission will focus on conducting further studies and experiments on the water molecules previously detected by Chandrayaan-1.

ISRO has expressed the possibility of water’s presence in permanently shadowed areas near the lunar South Pole. Therefore, similar investigations will likely be conducted by Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface.