When, and from where, Chandrayaan-1 was launched?

Asked 10-Nov-2021
Updated 25-May-2023
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Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar exploration mission, was launched on October 22, 2008, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. The mission marked a significant milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian space program as a whole, as it aimed to demonstrate India's technological capabilities in space exploration and further our understanding of the Moon.

When and from where Chandrayaan1 was launched

The Satish Dhawan Space Centre, formerly known as the Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR), is India's primary spaceport and launch facility. It is situated on Sriharikota Island, which is located off the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh. The space centre encompasses two main launch complexes: the First Launch Pad (FLP) and the Second Launch Pad (SLP). The FLP, also known as the SLP, is primarily used for launching geostationary satellites, while the SLP is used for launching polar satellites and planetary missions like Chandrayaan-1.

The launch vehicle selected for Chandrayaan-1 was the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), specifically the PSLV-C11 variant. The PSLV is a reliable and versatile workhorse of the ISRO's launch vehicle fleet and has an excellent track record. It is capable of carrying payloads weighing up to 1,750 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO) and has been used for various satellite launches, both domestic and international.

On the launch day, PSLV-C11 stood tall on the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1, was securely mounted atop the launch vehicle. Chandrayaan-1, with a total weight of 1,380 kilograms, was designed to carry out a range of scientific experiments and investigations to gather data about the Moon's surface and mineral composition, as well as to study the lunar atmosphere and the presence of water ice.

At precisely 6:22 a.m. Indian Standard Time (IST) on October 22, 2008, the countdown reached zero, and the PSLV-C11's engines ignited, propelling the rocket and its precious payload into space. The first stage of the PSLV-C11, with its solid rocket boosters, provided the initial thrust to lift the vehicle off the launch pad. As the rocket ascended, the subsequent stages, powered by liquid-fueled engines, ignited and propelled the spacecraft further towards its intended trajectory.