Historic Moment As Chandrayaan 3 Lifts Off From Sriharikota

The Chandrayaan 3 lunar lander successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. The mission is India's second attempt to land on the moon, and it is expected to make history by becoming the fourth country to land a rover on the lunar surface.

At the end of the 25.30 hour countdown, the LVM3-M4 rocket, the largest and heaviest in its class and dubbed as 'Fat Boy' lifted off majestically at a prefixed time at 2.35 pm from the second launch pad, discharging thick plumes of smoke. Thousands of spectators who had converged to witness the historic launch cheered the rocket as it made its ascent into the skies.

With the Chandrayaan-3 mission, scientists are aiming at mastering soft-landing on the lunar surface, a challenging technical aspect which is planned for late August. A successful mission would make India only the fourth country to achieve the rare feat after the United States, China and the former Soviet Union.

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.

The mission is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which was India's first attempt to land on the moon. The Chandrayaan 3 lander is carrying a rover named Pragyan, which means "wisdom" in Sanskrit. Pragyan is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments, including a drill, a camera, and a spectrometer. The rover will be used to study the lunar surface, including its geology, composition, and history.

The Chandrayaan 3 mission is a major milestone for India's space program. It is a testament to the country's growing technical capabilities, and it is a sign of India's commitment to space exploration.

The mission is also a source of national pride for India. It is a reminder of the country's rich history and culture, and it is a symbol of India's bright future.

The Chandrayaan 3 mission is expected to take about a month to reach the moon. Once it arrives, Pragyan will begin its mission of exploring the lunar surface.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the ISRO team on the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3. He said that the mission will carry the hopes and dreams of the nation.

"14th July 2023 will always be etched in golden letters as far as India's space sector is concerned," Modi said in a tweet.

Thousands of people gathered from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka to witness the launch. Security was tight at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, with security personnel deployed every 100 meters.

The launch of Chandrayaan-3 is a major achievement for India's space program. It is a sign of India's growing technological capabilities and its commitment to space exploration. The mission is also a source of national pride for India.