Sriharikota, India - India successfully launched its third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, on Thursday, July 14. The mission, which was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which successfully orbited the moon in 2019 but failed to land its lander and rover.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission consists of a lander and the Pragyan rover, which is similar to the one that was part of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The lander will soft land on the lunar surface near the South Pole, while the rover will conduct in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface.

The launch of Chandrayaan-3 is a major milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and it is expected to help the country further its understanding of the moon. The mission is also expected to boost India's status as a leading spacefaring nation.

"This is a historic day for India," said ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. "Chandrayaan-3 is a major step forward in our quest to explore the moon, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our scientists and engineers."

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is expected to take nearly 42 days to complete its journey to the moon. The lander is scheduled to land on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023.

"We are confident that Chandrayaan-3 will be a success," said Somanath. "We have done our homework, and we are prepared for every eventuality."

The launch of Chandrayaan-3 is a major boost for India's space program, and it is a sign that the country is committed to exploring the moon and other celestial bodies. The mission is expected to yield valuable scientific data, and it is also expected to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers in India.