[Watch] Chandrayaan-3 Launched Smoothly; When Will The Spacecraft Land On Moon?

Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the much-awaited ambitious Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon from Satish Dhawan Space Centre here on Friday.

In a picture-perfect launch, the spacecraft lifted off on board the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3).

Chandrayaan-3, India’s second attempt to land on the surface of Moon, has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 615 crore.

India aims to join an elite club as only three other countries — the United States, Russia, and China — have been successful so far in landing a spacecraft on Moon’s surface.

The LVM3 injected the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft in a precise orbit. According to ISRO, all three stages performed nominally and the spacecraft separated from LVM3 — over 900 seconds after launch from Sriharikota.

The Path To Moon

ISRO scientists will now perform orbit-raising manoeuvres in the upcoming days to put the spacecraft on the path to Moon.

Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to reach lunar orbit on August 5.

Once injected into lunar orbit, ISRO will begin the challenging landing sequence of the spacecraft by the end of August. As of now, the scheduled date for soft-landing on Moon’s surface is August 23.

“It is indeed a moment of glory for India and a moment of destiny for all of us who are part of history in the making. Thank you team ISRO for making India proud,” Union Minister of Space Dr Jitendra Singh said, adding that it’s a day of vindication for the dream that Dr Vikram Sarabhai saw six decades ago.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists for the perfect launch of the mission.

Also Read: ‘Bijayee Bhava’ Message On Sand At Puri Beach As Chandrayaan-3 Lifts Off From Sriharikota