An Indian spacecraft successfully launched on a mission to the far side of the moon on Friday, marking a major milestone for the country’s space agency. Chandrayaan-3, meaning “moon craft” in Sanskrit, took off from Sriharikota in southern India with an orbiter, lander, and rover. The spacecraft aims to land on the moon’s surface in August, following India’s failed attempt four years ago. The launch was met with applause and cheers from the mission control center at Satish Dhawan Space Center.
Thousands of Indians celebrated outside the mission control center as they witnessed the spacecraft’s ascent. “Congratulations, India. Chandrayaan-3 has started its journey towards the moon,” said ISRO Director Sreedhara Panicker Somanath. A successful soft landing would make India the fourth country, after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, to achieve this feat. The six-wheeled lander and rover module of Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with payloads that will provide valuable data on lunar soil and rocks to the scientific community,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh, the minister for science and technology.
India’s previous attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon’s south pole in 2019 ended in failure. The crash was attributed to a software glitch that caused the spacecraft to lose contact with its lander during the final descent. The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to accomplish a safe and successful landing. India has demonstrated its capability to reach the moon, but the landing remains a challenge,” said Somanath.
India has been actively involved in space exploration since the 1960s and has launched satellites for itself and other nations. The country successfully put a satellite into orbit around Mars in 2014. India is also planning its first mission to the International Space Station in collaboration with the US in 2024. Several nations and private firms are competing to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. Modi expressed his pride in India’s achievement, stating, “Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian.”
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