The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is preparing to launch Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, 2023. On July 13, 2023, a group of ISRO scientists brought a miniature replica of Chandrayaan-3 to the Tirupati Venkatachalapathi temple to seek blessings for a prosperous mission ahead of its launch.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | A team of ISRO scientists team arrive at Tirupati Venkatachalapathy Temple, with a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3 to offer prayers.
Chandrayaan-3 will be launched on July 14, at 2:35 pm IST from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, ISRO had… pic.twitter.com/2ZRefjrzA5
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023
This is a regular practice by ISRO before major launches. ISRO successfully completed a 24-hour rehearsal of the launch preparations on 11 July 2023.
Chandrayaan-3 mission:
The ‘Launch Rehearsal’ simulating the entire launch preparation and process lasting 24 hours has been concluded.Mission brochure: https://t.co/cCnH05sPcW pic.twitter.com/oqV1TYux8V
— ISRO (@isro) July 11, 2023
Chandrayaan-3’s primary objective is to achieve a secure touchdown on the moon’s surface. Previous missions, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, were unable to achieve a successful landing. The upcoming mission will consist of a propulsion module, lander, and rover.
The launch is scheduled to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. If all goes according to plan, Chandrayaan-3 will reach the moon on 23 or 24 August 2023. Upon a successful landing, India will become the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the moon, following the USA, Russia, and China.
Nambi Narayanan says successful Chandrayaan-3 landing will make India fourth country to achieve the feat
Edited video is available in video section on https://t.co/lFLnN4oaDV pic.twitter.com/m7MfRH46PU— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023
Mocked By Liberals
While it is a longstanding tradition for them to seek blessings before a mission, some liberals mocked the temple visit by ISRO scientists.
Scientific temperament! https://t.co/EkCc5nYQ6P
— Raju Parulekar (@rajuparulekar) July 13, 2023
The visit to the Tirumala Venkateswara temple and prayers at the Chengalamma temple in Sullurpeta are considered essential for ISRO scientists, as Chengalamma is believed to be the protector of the local lands around Sriharikota.
This has been a tradition for decades. A visit to the Tirumala Venkateswara temple along with prayers at the Chengalamma temple in Sullurpeta is a must for the ISRO scientists before any launch.
Chengalamma is considered as the Kshetrapalika for Sriharikota https://t.co/YlXXo3crUY pic.twitter.com/2aKZ1GqcH8
— Dr Kiran Kumar Karlapu (@scarysouthpaw) July 13, 2023
ISRO Chairman, S. Somanath had offered prayers at the #ChengalammaTemple in #Sullurpeta in #Tirupati dist, today.#Chandrayaan3 will be launched on July 14, at 2:35 pm IST from SDSC, Sriharikota, #ISRO and count down will start at 1 pm today, said @isro Chairman. pic.twitter.com/AzWzWdVYLg
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) July 13, 2023
ISRO scientists also offered prayers at the Sri Kalahasteeswara temple.
ISRO Scientists offer prayers at Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy temple ahead of Chandrayaan-3 launch
Edited video is available in video section on https://t.co/lFLnN4oaDV pic.twitter.com/Ww1z9IZgfN— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023
Chandrayaan-3 comes four years after the partial failure of Chandrayaan-2, which saw its lander and rover crash on the moon’s surface on September 7, 2019. The upcoming mission aims to rectify the shortcomings and achieve a successful landing.
Chandrayaan-3 is a significant improvement, ISRO has been exceptionally cautious after earlier missions: Space expert
Edited video is available in video section on https://t.co/lFLnN4oaDV pic.twitter.com/t0yfc5GOS8— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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