In a historic moment for India's space exploration programme, Chandrayaan-3, the country's third lunar mission, successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Scheduled to land on the moon's surface on August 23, this mission aims to demonstrate India's capabilities for a safe and soft landing, making India the fourth country to achieve this feat.

The spacecraft is expected to embark on a month-long journey from Earth to the moon. Upon landing, it will operate for one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days, conducting scientific experiments and gathering valuable data.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch as a "new chapter" in India's space odyssey, expressing his pride in the nation's achievements and the elevated dreams and ambitions of every Indian.

He commended the relentless dedication of the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and praised their spirit and ingenuity.

ISRO Chief S. Somanath shared that if all goes according to plan, the spacecraft will touch down on the moon on August 23 around 5:47 p.m. He emphasised that the previous mission, Chandrayaan-2, was not a failure and urged the public to temper their expectations.

The infusion of Chandrayaan-3 into the lunar orbit is scheduled for August 1, marking another crucial step in this groundbreaking mission.

The entire nation eagerly anticipates the successful completion of this mission, which will further establish India's position in the realm of space exploration and inspire future generations to reach for the stars.