Chandrayaan-3 launched successfully from Sriharikota and is anticipated to reach the Moon on Aug 23

The GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle successfully took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, according to the scheduled launch time. After approximately a month-long journey from Earth to the moon, the spacecraft is expected to land on August 23. Once landed, it will operate for one lunar day, which is equivalent to around 14 Earth days.

By accomplishing this, India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar exploration mission will make India the fourth country, after the United States, China, and Russia, to achieve a safe and soft landing of its spacecraft on the moon's surface. The mission is a follow-up attempt by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the Chandrayaan-2 mission encountered challenges and crashed on the lunar surface in 2019.

Following orbit-raising maneuvers, Chandrayaan-3 will be inserted into the Lunar Transfer Trajectory and cover a distance of over 300,000 km to reach the moon in the upcoming weeks. Equipped with a lander, a rover, and a propulsion module, Chandrayaan-3 weighs approximately 3,900 kilograms. Its scientific instruments onboard will study the moon's surface, contributing to our understanding of the lunar environment.

The moon holds the Earth's historical records, and India's successful lunar mission will not only enhance life on Earth but also pave the way for further exploration within the solar system and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anticipation and appreciation for the mission, highlighting India's significant contributions to the space sector, such as Chandrayaan-1's groundbreaking confirmation of water molecules on the moon. Chandrayaan-2 also provided valuable insights into the moon's composition, detecting the presence of chromium, manganese, and sodium through remote sensing.

PM Modi extended his best wishes for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, encouraging people to learn more about India's advancements in space, science, and innovation. The development phase of Chandrayaan-3 began in January 2020, with the launch initially planned for 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts, including former ISRO director K Sivan and renowned scientist Nambi Narayanan, expressed confidence in the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, emphasizing its transformative impact on India's space program and its potential as a source of inspiration for the world.