SRIHARIKOTA: In 16 minutes, the Chandrayaan-3 launch was proclaimed a success. Now we have to wait 40 days to see if India’s third Moon mission will be a success.
Isro’s LVM-3 lifted off from Sriharikota at 2.35pm amidst roars and applause from 10,000-odd spectators at the spaceport — and millions who watched the livestream. At 3.01pm, the “mooncraft” was in a precise transfer orbit of 36,500km x 170km. The Moon landing — as first reported byTOI on Friday — is planned for 5.47pm on August 23, Isro chairman S Somanath announced.
“It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted from France. “This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists' relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!”
Chandrayaan-3 project director P Veeramuthavel confirmed that all the health parameters of the spacecraft are normal. “The journey has begun,” he said. “Now for the critical soft-landing.”
Beginning Friday, Chandrayaan-3 will go around Earth 10 times till July 31, each time scientists carrying out manoeuvres to increase its farthest point from Earth (apogee). “The first one will be at 12.05pm on Saturday,” a scientist said. Once the apogee reaches 1 lakh km, the scientists will perform a "slingshot" to send it on a trajectory to the Moon (translunar insertion).
Five and a half days later, the craft will enter the critical lunar orbit insertion stage. This will be carried out by firing onboard propulsion systems to get the spacecraft into the Moon’s orbit.“The spacecraft’s altitude will be reduced to a 100km circular orbit and the landing module will get separated on August 17,” said Somanath.
Union minister Jitendra Singh, who witnessed the launch at Sriharikota, said: “It’s a moment of glory for India and a moment of destiny for all of us who are part of history in the making. Thank you Team Isro for making India proud.”
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft comprises a propulsion module (2,148 kg), lander Vikram (1,723.89 kg), and rover Pragyan (26kg), together carrying seven scientific instruments. “The payloads have been chosen to do things that others haven’t done,” Somanath said.
Chandrayaan-3 seeks to study moonquakes, composition of the lunar surface and atmosphere, understand Earth’s life-like elements/signatures, how heat passes through the lunar surface and the plasma environment on the Moon.
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