New Delhi: India erupted in celebrations as the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle gracefully took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, adhering to the planned schedule.
The long-awaited moment has filled Indians with immense pride and joy, as is evident from the outpouring of enthusiastic tweets. The spacecraft is expected to reach the moon in approximately a month, with the anticipated landing set for August 23. Upon landing, the spacecraft will run for one lunar day, equivalent to roughly 14 Earth days.
With the launch of Chandrayaan-3, India is poised to become the fourth country, after the United States, China, and Russia, to achieve a successful and gentle landing on the lunar surface, firmly establishing India’s capabilities in the field of lunar exploration.
Indians flocked to Twitter to express their overwhelming reactions, with messages brimming with delight and admiration for the accomplishments of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The triumphant launch of Chandrayaan-3 signifies a momentous milestone for India’s space program, reigniting hopes for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the realm of lunar exploration.
A selection of tweets showcases the jubilation and national spirit surrounding this achievement:
Goosebumps ???#Chandrayaan3 pic.twitter.com/ZjewwozQlG
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) July 14, 2023
Congratulations & Salutes to our scientists at @isro for their relentless commitment and indomitable spirit for the successful launch of #Chandrayaan3, marking a significant achievement for India ??? #ISRO
Jai Hind ?? pic.twitter.com/cEiMoHpbXG
— DIVYANSHU DHAKRE ?? (@DIVYANSHUDHAKR4) July 14, 2023
#Chandrayaan3 satellite separated successfully.
Proud Moment ? pic.twitter.com/KTq0Lic14S
— Shining Star ?? (@ShineHamesha) July 14, 2023
Me watching the launch of #Chandrayaan3 pic.twitter.com/nwAvpeazNJ
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) July 14, 2023
ISRO’s third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully launched into orbit
LVM3 M4/Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
LVM3 M4 vehicle? successfully launched Chandrayaan-3?️ into orbit.#Chandrayaan3 pic.twitter.com/vpszmA1Trr— Pratap Simha (@mepratap) July 14, 2023
Chandrayaan-3 marks ISRO’s subsequent attempt following the challenges faced during the soft landing of the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019, which unfortunately fell short of its primary mission objectives. With Chandrayaan-3, ISRO aims to rectify past setbacks and gather crucial scientific data to contribute to our understanding of the moon.
After completing orbit-raising maneuvers, the spacecraft will be inserted into the Lunar Transfer Trajectory, embarking on a journey spanning over 300,000 kilometers as it approaches the moon. Equipped with a lander, a rover, and a propulsion module, Chandrayaan-3 weighs approximately 3,900 kilograms. This mission is a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to space exploration and underscores the nation’s technological prowess in the field.
