India`s ambitious moon mission Chandrayaan-2 was successfully launched from  Andhra Pradesh`s Sriharikota at 2:43 pm today. This was ISRO`s second attempt after the mission was earlier aborted 56 minutes before lift-off on July 15.

ISRO`s largest and most powerful rocket  `Bahubali` GSLV-MkIII  carrying  Chandrayaan-2 lifted off as soon as the countdown finished. Around 17 minutes after liftoff  GSLVMkIII successfully injected Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into Earth Orbit.

Once injected into the lunar orbit, the Chandryaan-2 module consisting of the orbiter, Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyaan would revolve around the moon for around 12 days. The landing would be attempted on the 48th day of the mission on September 7, when Lander Vikram would separate from the orbiter and begin what has been hailed as ‘the most terrifying 15 minutes’ of the mission.

During the next 15 minutes, the Lander Vikram would attempt a soft landing at an identified site between the two craters on the south pole of the moon. Following a successful landing, Rover Pragyaan would roll down the platform and begin mapping the lunar surface.

 It is the first time that a spacecraft indigenously developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) would set foot on the lunar soil- a feat only achieved by three nations so far including US, Russia, and China.

 The historic Chandrayaan-2 aims to explore the south pole of the moon- a part of the moon which has not been mapped by any other country before.

 September landing is crucial since it marks the beginning of the 14-daylight period on the moon, which is crucial for conducting experiments by the solar-powered Lander and Rover.

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