On 23 September, India successfully became the fourth country in the world to launch a satellite into orbit around Mars. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joined NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency, and the European Space Agency as the only international space agencies to succeed in this mission.
Among these, the ISRO holds the title of being the first international space agency to succeed in such a mission on its first attempt. The ship, the Mangalyaan, will soon begin its mission to study the atmosphere and terrain of the red planet.
A 24-minute engine burn slowed the probe down enough to allow it to be captured by Mars's gravity, reported the BBC.
Prime minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the historic event in a series of tweets.
The odds, were stacked against us. Of the 51 missions, attempted across the world so far, a mere 21 had succeeded. But we have prevailed: PM
Through your brilliance, and hard work, you have made it a habit, of achieving the impossible: PM to @isro scientists
With today’s spectacular success, ISRO joins an elite group, of only 3 other agencies worldwide to have successfully reached red planet: PM
I congratulate, all ISRO scientists, as well as, all my fellow Indians, on this historic occasion: PM @narendramodi
In an adorable (and eerily space-age) Twitter exchange, the Curiosity Rover congratulated ISRO and Mangalyaan.
Namaste, @MarsOrbiter! Congratulations to @ISRO and India's first interplanetary mission upon achieving Mars orbit.
Howdy @MarsCuriosity ? Keep in touch. I'll be around.
As did NASA.
We congratulate @ISRO for its Mars arrival! @MarsOrbiter joins the missions studying the Red Planet. #JourneyToMars
Aside from being a wonderful achievement for India, the mission to Mars gave India's esteemed Twitterati something to joke about. Here are some of their brilliant insights:
1.
Well doen ISRO. Well done. We may be a crowded country, but you've shown us that we are still pretty good at managing space. #Mangalyaan
2.
The Indian Mars Mission budget was $25 million less than the budget of the movie 'Gravity', because we didn't have to pay George Clooney.
3.
Intl. media reacting to our MOM clearance at 1st attempt like local aunties reacting to lafanga long haired boy clearing CA on first attempt
4.
Wow. #Mangalyaan has travelled 680 million kilometres. That's the most by any Indian entity since Pratibha Patil.
5.
What is the first thing #Mangalyaan found on Marsh Orbit ? - Shri Ved Pratap Vaidik ji Because A journalist can go anywhere. #MissionMars
6.
Some of India's key achievements - Miss World. Miss Universe. Didn't Miss Mars. #Mangalyaan
7.
According to #ISRO, there is now solid proof that men are not from Mars. Only Arnab Goswami is. #Mangalyaan #MissionMars
8.
"We're orbiting Mars!" - @isro "You're just doing it for publicity" - @timesofindia #MissionMars
9.
I will not consider the Mangalyaan to be successful till they confirm if they can hear Arnab Goswami from up there. #MissionMars #ISRO
10.
India tells China to hold the flag meeting on... Mars. If Mr Eleven can make it up there. #Mangalyaan #MarsMission
11.
T 1623 - #Mangalyaan..Bharat Mata ki Jai !! Historic ! Only country to have succeeded in first attempt, on budget less than Hollywood film !
12.
I love how "Dude! Your MOM went to Mars" is now a legitimate and sensible sentence. Congrats!!!! #isro #Mangalyaan
13.
Meanwhile Alia learnt today that Mars is not just a chocolate bar but a real planet too #MangalYaan
14.
The fact that whoever handles Narendra Modi's Twitter account hasn't tweeted in Martian yet is worrying. #MarsMission #Mangalyaan
15.
Now waiting for parents to say "Beta Mars pe chale jao, aajkal bohot scope hai" #Mangalyaan
16.
The cost of #Mangalyaan is Rs 7/km -lesser than basic auto rickshaw fare #JustHeard
17.
Today on Newshour: "Where are the men on Mars? Nation wants to know! Sent them all to Earth on exotic junkets?" Martian: "Let me finish..."
18.
When they were out there making Gravity, we were busy in our attempt to defy it with even lesser money. #mangalyaan #GravityTheMovie
19.
According to unconfirmed reports, the Trinamool Congress is upset about the #MarsMission because it's a red planet. #Mangalyaan
20.
Inspired by Our Visionary Leader Rahul Gandhi, India has reached Mars. Now, Jupitor is not far away. #Mangalyaan
21.
Pretty soon.
22. And, of course, God weighed in as well.
Congratulations India, whose #Mangalyaan rocket is now orbiting Mars! I've never seen Brahmā so proud! He's crying all eight eyes out!