India’s Chandrayaan-3 Embarks on Historic Lunar Journey, Aiming for Unprecedented South Pole Landing

New Delhi, July 14, 2023: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) achieved a remarkable milestone on Friday as its LVM3 launch rocket took off from the country’s main spaceport, propelling the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into orbit and on its way to a planned landing on the lunar south pole next month. The successful mission positions India as a major space power and joins an elite group of countries that have accomplished controlled lunar landings.

The launch took place at the southern state of Andhra Pradesh’s spaceport, with ISRO’s mission control announcing the rocket’s success in placing the Chandrayaan-3 lander into an Earth orbit. This trajectory will guide the spacecraft towards its anticipated moon landing. If successful, India will join the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China as the only nations to achieve controlled lunar landings.

Notably, the Chandrayaan-3 mission will be the first to target a landing at the lunar south pole, an area of immense interest due to the presence of water ice that could potentially support future space missions. The 2-meter-tall lander will deploy a rover near the south pole, conducting a series of experiments over a two-week period.

The launch drew immense attention, with over 1.4 million viewers watching the event on ISRO’s YouTube channel. Messages of congratulations and the patriotic slogan “Jai Hind” (Victory to India) flooded the comments section.

This much-awaited moon mission marks India’s significant stride in space exploration following the government’s initiatives to boost investment in space launches and satellite-based enterprises. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his hopes and dreams for the mission on Twitter, emphasizing India’s role in the global landscape.

The Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing is scheduled for August 23, and its success would further elevate India’s position in the global space community. The mission also underscores the growing presence of space startups in India since the government opened the sector to private launches. With the number of space startups doubling since 2020, India’s space industry is witnessing a rapid expansion of innovation and technological advancements.