ISRO Moon Mission, Chandrayaan-3 Launch Highlights: The LVM3 rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.35 PM IST on Friday, July 14. The primary objective of India’s lunar mission is to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and conduct an in-depth exploration with the assistance of a rover. A successful outcome would position India among an elite group of nations, including the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union, who have accomplished this extraordinary feat.
The spacecraft will embark on its journey by entering an orbit around the Earth at an altitude of 179 km. Over a series of meticulously planned manoeuvres, it will gradually elevate its orbit, eventually breaking free from the gravitational pull of our planet. Utilising a slingshot technique, the spacecraft will chart its trajectory towards the moon. As it nears the moon, it will rely on the moon’s gravitational force to capture and stabilise its orbit. Following the capture, the lander, which houses the rover, will separate from the propulsion module and commence its powered descent. This process is projected to span approximately 42 days, with the anticipated landing date set for August 23.
Chandrayaan-3 Launch Highlights: Catch all the highlights on ISRO’s third moon mission here
ISRO's cutting-edge spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3, is embarking on its space journey aboard the formidable Launch Vehicle Mark-III. This remarkable rocket harnesses the immense power generated by two S2000 solid rocket boosters, propelling it skyward with tremendous force. Upon separation of the solid boosters, the baton of propulsion is handed over to the L110 liquid stage, seamlessly continuing the mission. Finally, the CE25 cryogenic stage takes charge, propelling the vehicle with its specialized cryogenic engine, bringing Chandrayaan-3 closer to its destination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his Twitter account to express his thoughts on the launch of Chandrayaan-3. “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!” he wrote.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to Twitter to congratulate "scientists, engineers and everyone involved in the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 Mission".
"If everything goes normal then landing on the moon is expected on August 23 at around 5.47pm IST," said ISRO chief S Somanath on Chandrayaan-3.
"The Chandrayaan-3 will be injected into lunar trajectory on August 1," ISRO Chairman S Somanath said.
Congratulatory messages pour in after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 mission. In one such message, President of India Droupadi Murmu tweeted, "India successfully launches Chandrayaan-3 marking another significant milestone in space exploration. Heartiest congratulations to the ISRO team and everyone who worked relentlessly to accomplish the feat! It demonstrates the nation's unwavering commitment to advancement in space science and technology. My best wishes for the success of the lunar mission."
According to ISRO officials, around 16 minutes after lift-off, the propulsion module will separate from the rocket and would orbit the earth for about 5-6 times in an elliptical cycle with 170 km closest and 36,500 km farthest from earth moving towards the lunar orbit.
The propulsion module along with the lander, after gaining speed would proceed for an over a month long journey towards reaching the orbit of the moon until it goes 100 km above the lunar surface.
After reaching the desired altitude, the lander module would begin its descent for a soft landing on the south pole region of the moon and this action is expected to take place on August 23 or 24, scientists at ISRO said. (PTI)
According to ISRO officials, around 16 minutes after lift-off, the propulsion module will separate from the rocket and would orbit the earth for about 5-6 times in an elliptical cycle with 170 km closest and 36,500 km farthest from earth moving towards the lunar orbit.
The propulsion module along with the lander, after gaining speed would proceed for an over a month long journey towards reaching the orbit of the moon until it goes 100 km above the lunar surface.
After reaching the desired altitude, the lander module would begin its descent for a soft landing on the south pole region of the moon and this action is expected to take place on August 23 or 24, scientists at ISRO said. (PTI)
After the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, "ISRO’s payloads carry the dreams, pride and belief of 1.4 billion Indians. Chandrayaan-3 launch swells all our hearts with pride. Congratulations to all our scientists for their untiring efforts. Memorable day for all Indians. Jai Hind!"
"The launch of Chandrayaan-3 not only reflects India's dedication to space exploration but also underscores our nation's reputation as a leading force in the field. As an integral partner to ISRO, Godrej Aerospace is proud and honoured to have played a vital role in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The launch of Chandrayaan 3 reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation and strengthens our resolve to propel India's space exploration endeavors towards greater achievements and scientific breakthroughs. We take great pride in supplying hardware liquid propulsion engines like the Vikas Engine, CE20 Engine, and satellite thrusters," said Maneck Behramkamdin, AVP & Business Head, Godrej Aerospace.
Chandrayaan-3 project director P Veeramuthuvel and ISRO chief S Somanath share their delight after the LVM3 M4 vehicle successfully launched it into orbit.
Scientists are now tracking the path of Chadrayaan 3. It has begun its journey towards Moon. Chadrayaan 3 will attempt for a soft-landing on Moon once there.
The journey of Chandrayaan 3 has technically started now as it has been separated from the rocket and is precisely in Earth's orbit now.
Chadrayaan 3 has been successfully separated. The LVM3, LVM4 Mission has been accomplished!
Now that the LVM3 has successfully launched, its L110 core stage has commenced operations as the S200 solid boosters have separated from the rocket. The core stage has separated from the launch vehicle and the CE 25 cryogenic stage has been ignited.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched country’s third mission to the Moon – Chandrayaan 3. Click the link below to see photos:
See Here: Chandrayaan-3: ISRO launches its third Mission to Moon – See Stunning Photos
Chandrayaan-3 has lifted off from Sriharikota. This is ISRO's third lunar mission and a quantum leap in space. It was the 'Bahubali' rocket that launched Chandrayaan into space.
The final countdown has begun! Mission director S Mohan Kumar has confirmed that the LVM3 spacecraft is ready for launch. The automatic launch sequence is scheduled to begin soon.
Inspired by the triumphant achievement of its predecessor, the Chandrayaan-2 mission was conceptualized to embark on a more intricate and ambitious endeavor. Distinguished by its inclusion of an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan), the mission aimed to unravel the mysteries of the unexplored South Pole of Earth's celestial companion.
On July 22, 2019, the mission initiated with a successful lift-off, and subsequently, on August 20 of the same year, Chandrayaan-2 was seamlessly inserted into a lunar orbit. The Lander module, named 'Vikram,' efficiently detached from the Orbiter, commencing its preparations for a lunar landing.
Regrettably, the mission encountered an unexpected setback. Communication with the Vikram lander was lost, leading to the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 mission to achieve the intended soft landing on the lunar surface. Despite this setback, the mission represented a remarkable endeavor in the pursuit of scientific knowledge and exploration.
According to the Indian Express, the liquid second stage of LVM 3 has been filled with propellant and soon, the cryogenic stage will also soon complete propellant loading.
On October 22, 2008, the diligent efforts of the scientists bore fruit as the inaugural mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) took flight atop the reliable PSLV-C11 rocket. The PSLV-C11 was meticulously designed and developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
The mission carried a total of 11 scientific instruments, crafted in collaboration with experts from India, the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Bulgaria, and Sweden. Notably, the esteemed scientist Mayilsami Annadurai from Tamil Nadu led the project as the Mission Director for Chandrayaan-1.
Operating at an altitude of 100 km, the spacecraft successfully orbited around the moon, accomplishing all of the envisioned objectives for the mission.
G Madhavan Nair, the former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), exuded confidence in the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, emphasizing its significance for India's space exploration endeavors. As a veteran space scientist, Nair acknowledged the criticality of the mission, particularly the challenging and intricate task of achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface.
In an interview, Nair expressed his optimism, stating, "At this moment, I firmly believe that this mission should achieve success in every aspect, enabling us to surpass a significant milestone in space exploration." His words underscored the importance of Chandrayaan-3 as a defining moment for ISRO and the nation's ambitious pursuit of scientific advancements in space.
"The countdown is progressing at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota," ISRO said. Chandrayaan-3 is the third lunar exploration mission in the fourth operational mission (M4) of LVM3 launcher, formerly the GSLVMkIII rocket.
The 25.30 hour countdown for the lift off commenced at 1.05 pm on Thursday.
The liftoff of LVM3-M4 rocket dubbed as 'Fat boy' by the space scientists for its ability to carry heavy payloads is scheduled from the second launch pad at 2.35 pm from this spaceport situated about 135 km from Chennai. (PTI)
As India prepares for the highly anticipated Chandrayaan-3 moon mission, renowned actors Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, and Suniel Shetty have taken to social media to share their messages of encouragement and congratulations for the dedicated scientists at ISRO and the entire nation. Suniel Shetty wished ISRO "astronomical" success, while Akshay Kumar emphasized that it is "time to rise."
The upcoming mission, scheduled for Friday at 2:35 pm, will witness the launch of the robust LVM3-M4 rocket, also known as the "Fat Boy," as it carries Chandrayaan-3 towards the moon. This significant undertaking marks another milestone in India's ambitious lunar exploration journey.
PM Narendra Modi, who is in Paris currently, wished ISRO the best ahead of the launch:
Here is the timeline of the moon mission as undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation:
August 15, 2003: Then Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces the Chandrayaan programme.
October 22, 2008: Chandrayaan-1 takes off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
November 8, 2008: Chandrayaan-1 enters a Lunar Transfer Trajectory.
November 14, 2008: The Moon impact probe ejects from Chandrayaan-1 and crashes near the lunar South Pole -- confirming the presence of water molecules on Moon's surface.
August 28, 2009: End of Chandrayaan 1 programme as per ISRO.
July 22, 2019: Chandrayaan-2 launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
August 20, 2019: Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft inserted into lunar orbit.
September 2, 2019: Vikram Lander was separated while orbiting the moon in a 100kms lunar polar orbit, however, communication from the lander to the ground stations was lost at an altitude of 2.1 km from the surface of the moon.
July 14, 2023: Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft scheduled to lift off from the second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
August 23/24, 2023: Scientists at ISRO have tentatively scheduled soft landing on the lunar surface expected to take place by August 23-24 making India join elite nations to achieve the feat. (PTI)
Here's the latest update on the Chandrayaan-3 launch from ISRO:
Renowned filmmaker-writer Vinod Mankara, a recipient of the National Award, unveiled his latest book in a truly unique fashion. The launch of "Prism: The Ancestral Abode of Rainbow," a compilation of science articles, took place at the rocket launchpad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) with great anticipation surrounding the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission.
During the evening ceremony, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath presented the book to S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), while the countdown for the historic launch progressed at the space centre. The event was attended by distinguished figures including A. Rajarajan, Director of SDSC-SHAR, V. Narayanan, Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), K. Radhakrishnan, former ISRO Director, and Lipi Akbar, Managing Director of Lipi Publications, the publisher of the book.
"Prism," published by Lipi Books based in Kozhikode, is a captivating compilation of 50 intriguing articles from various scientific fields such as space science, astronomy, biology, anthropology, and mathematics. It delves into diverse topics including the James Webb space telescope, dark sky tourism, confirmation of black holes, and the pioneering space journey of Laika, the dog. The book spans 167 pages and features a foreword written by Somanath himself, describing its contents as a marvel of scientific wonders.
(With inputs from PTI)
What is particularly noteworthy about the Chandrayaan series, which commenced with its inaugural lunar mission in 2008, is its unique connection to Tamil Nadu. Mayilsamy Annadurai and M Vanitha, both natives of Tamil Nadu, played crucial roles in leading Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, respectively. Now, P Veeramuthuvel, hailing from Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, will oversee the third mission, set to launch towards the moon onboard the heavy launch vehicle, LVM3-M4, later today.
Under the chairmanship of S Somanath, a soft-spoken visionary, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aspires to join the prestigious league of nations accomplished in the art of soft landing on the lunar surface. Although an earlier attempt in 2008 did not yield the desired results, ISRO remains committed to this goal.
Veeramuthuvel, aged around 46, presently serves as the project director for Chandrayaan-3 mission, operating under Somanath's leadership. Coming from a modest family in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district, Veeramuthuvel holds a PhD degree and is an alumnus of the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He succeeds Vanitha, who made history as ISRO's first female project director during Chandrayaan-2, under the guidance of the former ISRO Chief, K Sivan.
It is worth mentioning that the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India and a revered figure in the country's rocket programme, hailed from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.
(With inputs from PTI)
The national space agency also invited citizens to witness the launch of Chandrayaan-3 from the Launch View Gallery at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, by registering at lvg.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATIO. ISRO took it to Twitter to roll out a special invite for the people of the nation.
Both the United States and the Soviet Union crashed many spacecraft before they successfully landed on the Moon. China was the only country to succeed in its first attempt with the Chang'e-3 mission in 2013.