The countdown is underway as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares for the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, marking India’s second attempt to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon. Scheduled to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 2.35 PM today, this mission holds the potential to position India among the elite group of nations that have accomplished this remarkable feat—namely, the United States, the erstwhile Soviet Union, and China.
While the United States and the Soviet Union faced setbacks with numerous spacecraft crashes before achieving a successful lunar landing, China emerged as the first nation to accomplish a soft landing on its inaugural attempt with the Chang’e-3 mission in 2013. Now, if ISRO triumphs with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, it will mark a significant milestone for India’s space exploration endeavors.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission serves as a follow-on to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, with similar scientific objectives. ISRO’s animation released during Chandrayaan-2 provides a useful reference for what to expect from today’s launch. As with its predecessor, the primary launch vehicle for Chandrayaan-3 is the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-III), previously known as GSLV-III (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III).
The initial launch phase will be powered by two S2000 rocket boosters, generating the necessary thrust for takeoff. After approximately two minutes, the solid boosters will detach, and the L110 liquid stage will take over. Around five minutes into the launch, the liquid stage will separate, paving the way for the CE25 cryogenic stage to propel the spacecraft forward. Finally, at approximately 16 minutes into the mission, the rocket will separate from the Chandrayaan spacecraft, allowing it to continue its journey in orbit around the Earth.
The successful execution of the Chandrayaan-3 mission would not only mark a significant achievement for India’s space program but also place the country on the global stage as a formidable force in lunar exploration. As the launch proceeds, all eyes are on ISRO, eagerly awaiting updates on the mission’s progress and the potential for India’s presence to expand beyond Earth’s atmosphere.