India space program: Rocket launches, missions and news

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Latest about india space program

a red and white indian rocket launches into a grayish-blue sky.

India launches Aditya-L1 solar observatory, its 1st-ever sun probe

By Mike Wall published

India launched its first dedicated solar probe early Saturday morning (Sept. 2), sending the Aditya-L1 spacecraft skyward to tackle some big sun mysteries.

Missions
A white and red rocket rolls out to its launch pad from a green hangar

You can watch India's Aditya-L1 solar probe launch live on Sept. 2. Here's what it will do.

By Robert Lea published

India is setting its sights on the sun after its successful moon landing. The Aditya-L1 spacecraft will investigate the mysteries of our star following its launch on Sept. 2.

Missions
Tracks in lunar soil made by the Pragyan rover.

India's Chandrayaan-3 moon rover reveals surprising sulfur find in lunar south pole soil

By Rahul Rao published

An instrument aboard the mission’s Pragyan rover has found traces of sulfur within the lunar south pole’s soil.

Moon Rovers
a spacecraft wrapped in gold foil sits in a large warehouse-like room with light yellow walls.

India to launch Aditya-L1, its 1st solar probe, on Sept. 2

By Mike Wall published

India plans to launch Aditya-L1, its first-ever dedicated solar probe, early on Saturday morning (Sept. 2).

Missions
chandrayaan-3 launching into blue sky with the indian flag to the right of the image.

Chandrayaan-3: A complete guide to India's third mission to the moon

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Reference Chandrayaan-3 India's mission to the moon and the first-ever mission to land near the moon's south pole. The lander and rover will explore the moon for 14 Earth days.

Reference
A crowd of engineers cheering with inset photo of spacecraft on moon

India on the moon! Chandrayaan-3 becomes 1st probe to land near lunar south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

India landed its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon's south pole today (Aug. 23), making history for the nation and for lunar exploration in general.

Moon Rovers
illustration of a lander and a rover on the moon, with earth in the background.

India's Chandrayaan-3 probe to attempt historic moon landing on Aug. 23: Watch it live

By Mike Wall published

India's Chandrayaan-3 rover mission will try to land near the moon's south pole on Wednesday morning (Aug. 23), and you can watch the action live.

Moon Rovers
closeup of the moon's surface, showing numerous craters

India's Chandrayaan-3 images far side of the moon ahead of Aug. 23 landing try (photos)

By Andrew Jones published

India's Chandrayaan-3 probe has photographed the far side of the moon, testing out landing optics that will be put to use during an Aug. 23 touchdown try.

Moon Rovers
a spacecraft covered in gold foil sits in a large warehouse-like building with yellow walls.

India prepping to launch 1st sun-studying spacecraft next month

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

India is gearing up for its first-ever mission to study the sun, Aditya-L1, which is expected to launch in early September.

Launches & Spacecraft
a shot of the moon from lunar orbit, with a spacecraft's golden solar array slanting across the moon's face in the foreground

India's Chandrayaan-3 moon rover enters lunar orbit, snaps stunning photos (video)

By Andrew Jones published

India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander has returned images from the moon after entering orbit around our nearest neighbor.

Moon Rovers
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