Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3 was India's third lunar exploration mission and successfully demonstrated India's capability to achieve a controlled soft landing and rover operations on the Moon. Launched by ISRO in July 2023, the mission's Vikram lander successfully landed near the lunar south polar region on 23 August 2023, making India the first country to land a spacecraft in the region and the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
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Timeline
22 July 2019
Chandrayaan-2 launched
ISRO launched Chandrayaan-2, India's second lunar mission, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover. The orbiter continued providing valuable scientific data after the lander's unsuccessful landing attempt.
7 September 2019
Chandrayaan-2 lander loses communication during landing
The Vikram lander lost communication during its attempted lunar landing. The experience provided important technical lessons that contributed to the design and preparation of Chandrayaan-3.
1 January 2020
Chandrayaan-3 mission approved
Following the Chandrayaan-2 landing attempt, ISRO moved forward with a follow-up lunar mission designed specifically to demonstrate a successful soft landing and rover operations.
1 January 2022
Chandrayaan-3 development progresses
ISRO continued testing and developing the lander, rover and propulsion systems while incorporating lessons learned from Chandrayaan-2.
14 July 2023
Chandrayaan-3 launched
ISRO successfully launched Chandrayaan-3 aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
15 July 2023
First Earth-bound manoeuvre completed
The spacecraft successfully performed its first orbit-raising manoeuvre after launch as it began its journey toward the Moon.
5 August 2023
Chandrayaan-3 enters lunar orbit
The spacecraft successfully entered lunar orbit after completing its trans-lunar journey.
17 August 2023
Lander module separates from propulsion module
The Vikram lander successfully separated from the propulsion module in preparation for the final stages of the lunar landing sequence.
23 August 2023
Vikram lander successfully lands on the Moon
The Vikram lander successfully completed a controlled soft landing on the lunar surface, making India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the lunar south polar region.
24 August 2023
Pragyan rover begins lunar exploration
The Pragyan rover rolled down from the Vikram lander and began conducting scientific experiments on the lunar surface.
27 August 2023
Rover confirms presence of sulphur
The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer aboard the Pragyan rover confirmed the presence of sulphur in the lunar south polar region along with other elements.
30 August 2023
Pragyan rover completes initial exploration
The rover continued its planned scientific measurements and exploration of the lunar surface while operating within the available lunar daylight period.
2 September 2023
Pragyan rover placed into sleep mode
After completing its primary mission objectives, the Pragyan rover was placed into sleep mode with the expectation that it could potentially reactivate after the lunar night.
3 September 2023
Vikram lander placed into sleep mode
The Vikram lander was placed into sleep mode after completing its primary mission objectives and conducting additional experiments.
22 September 2023
Vikram lander successfully reawakened
The Vikram lander successfully re-established communication after surviving the lunar night, extending the mission beyond its original objectives.
23 September 2023
Pragyan rover reawakening attempt begins
ISRO attempted to establish communication with the Pragyan rover after the lunar night as part of an effort to extend its operations.
30 September 2023
Chandrayaan-3 mission concludes
The Chandrayaan-3 mission completed its primary objectives and demonstrated India's capability to perform a soft lunar landing, rover operations and scientific measurements on the Moon.
1 October 2023
Chandrayaan-3 becomes a landmark Indian space achievement
The mission was widely recognised as a major milestone for India's space programme and strengthened India's position in lunar exploration and space technology.