India has become the first country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon's south pole.
Chandrayaan-3 had aimed to become the first spacecraft to touch down in a region of the lunar surface thought to contain deep craters with water ice.
India moon landing - as it happened
Image: India's become the first country to land a spacecraft on the moon's south pole - next to where its previous attempt failed
It touched down six weeks after launching on board a rocket from a spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.
The successful landing was met with cheers and applause from mission control at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
Image: Celebrations at Satish Dhawan Space Centre mission control
Image: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) staff celebrate the successful landing. Pic: AP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined a conference call at the space centre to watch the landing, waving a small Indian flag as the spacecraft landed.
Making a triumphant speech to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he said: "This is the heartbeat of 1.4 billion people. This is the new India, the new beginning, the new thinking of the new efforts.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:31 Why is India's moon landing important?
"This is a feature of the shine of India - we made a promise and we made it true on the surface of the moon.
"This is an historic moment, and for every Indian, we are all very proud."
Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Chandrayaan-3 landing
Turning his attention to the wider world, he said: "India's successful moon mission is not just India's alone.
"We can all aspire for the moon and beyond."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft before moon landing
He said India will now look into a future human flight mission to the moon.
Thousands of people across India crowded in offices, shops, homes and restaurants eagerly waiting to witness the outcome of the mission.
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Following the successful landing, Chandrayaan-3 will only remain functional for two weeks, during which it will run a series of experiments to determine the mineral composition of the moon's surface.
Much of the work will be done by a rover, which will be deployed by the spacecraft's two-metre-high lander.
Image: A view of the moon as viewed by the Chandrayaan-3. Pic: ISRO
Scientists have a particular interest in water ice, as it could be used for fuel, oxygen, and drinking water - with the mission laying the groundwork for a potential permanent base.
"They have stuck the landing, but the scientists in that control room won't be truly happy until they get data from their spacecraft," Tom Clarke, Sky News' science and technology editor, said.
"Is everything working properly? Is it going to be able to achieve some of the objects it set out to do? We don't have that confirmation yet, although that's not to say that we doubt it will come.
"It is a huge achievement," Clarke said.
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India's landing follows Russia's failed attempt, after their Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the moon.
Previous attempts by India have also failed, with the south pole's rough terrain making landings difficult.
PurpleSailor on August 23rd, 2023 at 13:38 UTC »
Well done India, well done indeed
bhuvi100x on August 23rd, 2023 at 12:42 UTC »
Amazing, recall scenes when the Chandrayaan 2 failed, but man keeps trying and do better and they did, and were successfull.
In additon, the cost was like fracton of other countries, just took time
Appropriate-Roof6750 on August 23rd, 2023 at 12:36 UTC »
This is so damn amazing, congratulations India and every one here, Indian or not. This is an incredible feat for mankind