India launched a rocket carrying a spacecraft for its lunar mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh Friday, in an ambitious second attempt at putting a lander and a rover on the moon amid several other global efforts to explore the lunar surface.
In this photo released by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian spacecraft ... [+]
The mission helmed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is called Chandrayaan-3, which translates to Mooncraft-3.
The mission will attempt to put a lander and a rover on the moon’s south pole as India hopes to become only the fourth nation after the U.S., Russia and China to achieve a soft landing on the moon.
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s second attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon’s surface after the lander onboard the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019 crashed on the moon’s surface.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft uses a lander and rover similar to the previous mission, but lacks an orbiter, as the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continues to revolve around the moon while its instruments still collect data.
India’s space program is a source of national pride for people in the country who see it as an example of scientific excellence. Like ISRO’s other marquee missions, the launch was covered live on all major news networks, while students watched live broadcasts from schools across the country. Following the launch, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “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.”
A girl takes a selfie with the Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-3, the word for "moon craft" in ... [+]
Students make a painting congratulating Sreedhara Panicker Somnath, Chairman of Indian Space ... [+]
People wave Indian flags as an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rocket carrying the ... [+]
Members of India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) perform Hindu rituals for the success of Indian ... [+]