SRIHARIKOTA, India — Navigating the space around the Moon, India's Chandrayaan-3 mission is progressing smoothly on its path, with its ultimate goal being a historic landing on the lunar surface.

The spacecraft, which was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on July 14, 2023, successfully entered lunar orbit and now awaits the crucial phases of approaching the Moon's surface.

Chandrayaan-3's Current Position and Trajectory

As of Friday, the spacecraft was approximately 1,437 kilometers (893 miles) from the Moon's surface. It has been guided with precision by ISRO, India's space agency, through a series of complex lunar-bound maneuvers, culminating in the Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) performed on August 5.

The spacecraft is expected to reach a 100-kilometer (62-mile) orbit around the Moon by August 16. Subsequently, the Propulsion Module will separate, beginning the Lander's final descent sequence.