Chandrayaan takes off successfully
Historic moment for the entire country, the PSLV-C11, carrying India’s first unmanned moon spacecraft Chandrayaan-1, was successfully put into initial orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Wednesday at around 6.40 am. Watch
At the end of the 49-hour countdown, the 44.4 meter tall four-stage PSLV-C11 blasted off from the second launch pad lifted off from the second launch pad into a cloudy sky. Chandrayaan-1 is carrying 11 payloads, five entirely designed and developed in India, three from European Space Agency, one from Bulgaria and two from US, which would explore the Moon over the next two years.
After a series of procedures over the next two weeks, the spacecraft would reach its desired Lunar orbit and placed at a height of 100 km from the Lunar surface, marking the operational phase of the mission which would put India in the elite lunar club.
Large crowds had gathered at Sriharikota since early Wednesday morning to witness this historic event. The crowds cheered at the PSLV, which soared majestically into the skies. However, the thick black clouds played spoil sport for those waiting to watch the PSLV launch into the skies. Watch
Also Read:
India’s First Mission to Moon - Chandrayaan
Tags: Chandrayaan, India
