India embarked on its third lunar mission with the objective of becoming the first nation to land near the relatively unexplored south pole of the Moon.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, comprising an orbiter, lander, and rover, commenced its journey at 14:35 local time on Friday (09:05 GMT) from the Sriharikota space center. The lander is scheduled to arrive at the Moon between 23rd and 24th August.

A successful landing would position India as the fourth country to accomplish a gentle touchdown on the lunar surface, following the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China