Chandrayaan-3 mission to be launched on July 14, announces ISRO
Bengaluru, July 6: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday announced that its lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 will be launched on July 14 from the space port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO's new heavylift launch vehicle LVM-3 will carry out the Moon mission.
"Announcing the launch of Chandrayaan-3: LVM3-M4/Chandrayaan-3 Mission: The launch is now scheduled for July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm IST from SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre), Sriharikota," ISRO tweeted.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission carries scientific instruments to study the thermophysical properties of the lunar regolith, lunar seismicity, lunar surface plasma environment and elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site.
While the scope of these scientific instruments on the lander and the rover would fit in the theme of "Science of the Moon", another experimental instrument will study the spectro-polarimetric signatures of the Earth from the lunar orbit, which would fit in the theme of "Science from the Moon", according to ISRO officials.
In March this year, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully completed the essential tests that validated its capability to withstand the harsh vibration and acoustic environment that the spacecraft would encounter during its launch.
These tests were particularly challenging, considering the fact that the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which will be launched by LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-III) (earlier referred to as GSLV Mk III), is a composite of three modules -- propulsion, lander and rover.
The propulsion module, which has Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the spectral and polarimetric measurements of Earth from the lunar orbit, will carry the lander and rover configuration till 100 km of the lunar orbit.
The lander payloads are: 'Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment' to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature; 'Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity' for measuring the seismicity around the landing site; and 'Langmuir Probe' to estimate the plasma density and its variations.
A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is also accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.
The rover payloads are: 'Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer' and 'Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy' for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site.
The lander will have the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the rover which will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility.
The main function of the propulsion module is to carry the lander module from launch vehicle injection till final lunar 100 km circular polar orbit and separate it.
Apart from this, the propulsion module also has one scientific payload as a value addition, which will be operated post separation of the lander module.
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Seasoned politician who discharged responsibilities with sincerity: Cong condoles Ajit Pawar's death
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Wednesday condoled the death of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying he shall be remembered as a seasoned politician who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also condoled Pawar's demise.
"The news of the demise of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar Ji and his fellow travellers in an airplane accident today is extremely heartbreaking. In this moment of grief, I stand with the people of Maharashtra. I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and their loved ones during this hour of sorrow," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.
Pawar and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said.
The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar (66) and others landed near Baramati, they said.
In a post on X, Kharge said the news of the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash, is deeply shocking and profoundly distressing.
"It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead. No words can adequately express the immense grief that the bereaved family must be enduring during this difficult hour. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Pawar family, his supporters and well-wishers," he said on X.
"Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politician who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness. May his soul rest in peace," Kharge said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the news of the demise of Ajit Pawar and others in the horrific plane crash in Maharashtra is extremely heartbreaking.
"May God grant peace to the departed souls. Deepest condolences to revered Sharad Pawar Ji, Supriya Sule Ji and their entire family, and to the supporters of revered Ajit Pawar Ji," she said in a post in Hindi on X.
According to Flight Radar, the flight took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and it disappeared from radar around 8.45 am.
Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state. There were five people on board when the aircraft crashed at 8.50 am, a police official said.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) posts, "The news of the tragic demise of Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash, is deeply shocking and profoundly distressing. It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead. No words can adequately… pic.twitter.com/XDbfbCihtG
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
LoP and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) posts, "महाराष्ट्र के उप मुख्यमंत्री श्री अजित पवार जी और उनके सहयात्रियों की आज हवाई जहाज दुर्घटना में निधन का समाचार अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है। इस शोक के पल में महाराष्ट्र की जनता के साथ हूं। समस्त पवार परिवार और प्रियजनों को इस दुख… pic.twitter.com/wp80n1RYHp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
VIDEO | On the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an aircraft crash, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "This is very sad news. From our side, we extend our condolences and sympathies to the entire Pawar family and all their supporters. I have also… pic.twitter.com/A0OElhcGS9
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
