India's Chandrayaan-3 successfully launches on mission to the moon

The launch comes nearly four years after the failed landing of the previous Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019.

On 14th of July 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the 'Launch Vehicle Mark-III' rocket carrying the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch took place precisely at the scheduled time of 2:35 p.m. IST (2:05 a.m. PDT).

With a budget of less than $75 million, the Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to achieve a safe landing and rover exploration on the lunar surface, as well as conduct scientific experiments. The unmanned spacecraft is expected to make a soft landing on the moon on August 23, showcasing India's capabilities in lunar exploration.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, weighing approximately 3,895 kilograms, is equipped with advanced technologies such as altimeters, velocimeters, hazard detection systems, and landing leg mechanisms. ISRO has made significant improvements to ensure a successful soft landing this time, addressing the issues faced during the previous mission.

Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 has a dedicated focus on the primary objective of delivering the lander and rover to a lunar orbit. The lander has undergone modifications to handle higher velocities during landing, while the orbiter has been optimized for efficiency. The mission also includes software enhancements and improved control and guidance algorithms.

With the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India aims to become the fourth country to make a successful soft landing on the moon, after the former Soviet Union, the United States and China.