Chandrayaan-3, India’s mission to moon, was on Friday launched successfully into orbit, creating another milestone in the country’s space odyssey. “Health of the Spacecraft is normal,” Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO) announced.

The LVM3 M4 rocket lifted off from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), SHAR, Sriharikota at 2.35 pm and successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 into orbit. Chandrayaan-3, in its precise orbit.

Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. It consists of Lander and Rover configuration. The propulsion module carries the lander and rover configuration till 100 km lunar orbit. The propulsion module has Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the spectral and Polari metric measurements of Earth from the lunar orbit.

Congratulating the ISRO team, PM Narendra Modi in a tweet said, “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. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!

“14th July 2023 will always be etched in golden letters as far as India’s space sector is concerned. Chandrayaan-3, our third lunar mission, will embark on its journey. This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation.

Minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 reiterates India’s indigenous capabilities and vindicates the dream that Vikram Sarabhai saw six decades ago.

Speaking at Sriharikota after the launch, he said Sarabhai might have been short of resources, but not short of confidence because he had faith in himself and in India's inherent potential and inherent acumen. “The launch is a reaffirmation of this faith in India’s potential and acumen", he said.