Chandrayaan 3 launch successful, aims to reach moon in 40 days

SRIHARIKOTA: Chandrayaan 3, India's third lunar mission, was lifted off majestically from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The cryogenic engine has started working. It was launched from Sriharikota at 2.35 pm. The rover in Chandrayaan is expected to land on the moon on August 24 early morning.

Chandrayaan will be launched into the orbit by GSLV mark 3, ISRO's most powerful rocket. Then the spacecraft will automatically raise the orbit around the Earth. After six days it will enter the moon's orbit. It takes 40 days to reach 100 km to the moon. The lander will separate and soft land on the moon. From there, the rover will come out and observe the lunar soil. If successful, India will become the fourth country after Russia, USA and China to land a spacecraft on the moon. People have a chance to watch the launch today.

Many changes have been made in Chandrayaan 3 after learning lessons from Chandrayaan 2. The legs of the lander, which are the main component, were strengthened. Instead of an orbiter, the propulsion module will bring the lander and rover closer to the moon. The rover will separate immediately after the lander lands on the moon. Various instruments on the lander and rover will study the moon's gases and chemicals. Chandrayaan 3 will also set the course for India's future interplanetary missions.