Chandrayaan-3 sets off for Moon tonight: When will it land?

Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, was successfully launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. As of today, July 31, 2023, the spacecraft is making steady progress and is currently in a 71351 km x 233 km orbit around Earth.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that the spacecraft has successfully completed its fifth orbit-raising maneuver. The next significant event, the TransLunar Injection, is planned for August 1, 2023.

After a series of engine firings to elongate its orbit, Chandrayaan-3 will head towards the moon. The landing attempt is scheduled to occur on August 23 or 24, timed to coincide with sunrise at the landing site in the moon's south polar region. If all goes as per plan, the lander Vikram will touch down on the lunar surface at 5.47pm on August 23.