India is preparing for its second attempt to land on the moon's south pole, a historic feat for the world's most populous country.
Chandrayaan-3, which means "mooncraft" in Sanskrit, is scheduled to touch down on the lunar surface shortly after 6 pm India time on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The mission consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, similar to those of the Chandrayaan-2, which failed to land in 2019.
The lander and rover carry scientific instruments to study the moon's geology, mineralogy, seismology, and atmosphere.
The mission also aims to explore the potential of water ice and other resources at the lunar south pole, which could be useful for future human settlements.
The mission has a budget of $74.6 million, far lower than those of other countries, thanks to India's frugal space engineering and skilled workforce.
The mission has received support and encouragement from various leaders and celebrities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who tweeted "Let's go" on the day of the launch.
The mission is expected to boost India's space ambitions and inspire millions of young Indians to pursue science and technology careers.
Swipe up to watch the live stream of the Lunar landing on YouTube channel. You can also follow the updates on ISRO's social media accounts.