INDIA'S historic attempt to land lunar spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon's south pole has been successful today

It marks a major step forward in the search for water-based ice, which scientists believe is key to future human habitation on the Moon.

"India is now on the moon," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly announced.

"This is the heartbeat of 1.4billion people. This is the new India, the new beginning, the new thinking of the new efforts.

"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 a historic moment, and for every Indian, we are all very proud."

The country has made history by becoming the first nation to land near the Moon's South Pole with its Chandrayaan-3 craft. 

The success makes India the fourth country to have achieved a soft landing on the Moon.

While the US, the former Soviet Union, and China have all achieved a soft landing near the moon's equator - none have led successful missions to the lunar south pole.

It comes just days after Russia's own lunar spacecraft - it's first in 47 years - spun out of control and crashed into the Moon after a problem preparing for pre-landing orbit.

The Chandrayaan-3, which means "mooncraft" in Sanskrit, launched on July 14 and entered lunar orbit on August 5 carrying the Vikram lander.

It was India's second try at a moon landing, following the Chandrayaan-2 attempt in 2019 which crashed into the lunar surface.

Scientists lost contact with the second moon module moments before its planned landing.

Chandrayaan-2 wasn't a complete failure, however, as it sent an orbiter to the moon - which remains active today - before its explosive demise.