Rama Krishna Sangem
Long awaited Chandrayaan-3 mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully taken off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, in Andhra Pradesh on dot at 2.35 pm on July 14, Friday. If everything goes normal then landing on the moon is expected on August 23 at around 5.47 PM IST, says ISRO chief S Somanath on Chandrayaan-3. Within an hour, Chandrayaan entered its orbit around Earth, successfully too.
PM Modi who is at the time in Paris inspecting Bastille Day National Day Parades of France tweeted, “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”
The ISRO launched its third lunar mission–Chandrayaan 3 on-board the heavylift LVM3-M4 rocket here on Friday. At the end of the 25.30 hour countdown, the LVM3-M4 rocket, the largest and heaviest in its class and dubbed as ‘Fat Boy’ lifted off majestically at a prefixed time at 2.35 pm from the second launch pad, discharging thick plumes of smoke. Thousands of spectators who had converged to witness the historic launch cheered the rocket as it made its ascent into the skies.
Jubilation all round
It is ‘D-Day’ here at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre as thousands of people comprising families and journalists have descended here to witness India’s attempt at creating history with the launch of Chandrayaan 3, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s third lunar mission. Understandably, right from PM Modi to many President Murmu, CMs, Governors and several others were more than happy over this moon journey of ISRO.
Despite scorching heat and a forecast of dry weather, passenger vehicles carrying ardent space enthusiasts were making a beeline to this spaceport. LVM3-M4 rocket will be carrying Chandrayaan 3. Over 10,000 persons from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka arrived here since early morning and they would be allowed to witness the launch from the dedicated space gallery set up by ISRO adjacent to the main entrance of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).
Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, ISRO chairman Dr Somnath and several other ISRO scientists who were watching the Chandrayaan 3 liftoff were on cloud nine on the event. Singh and Somnath went a step ahead and told media persons who gathered to cover the launch that ISRO would be world’s No 1 in next 20 years, thanks to its all-round efforts to move ahead in space sectro.
