Proud to be an Indian. Kudos to Indian scientists… these were the short messages forwarded to cellphones and uploaded on social networking sites by Indians in Oman within a few minutes after Mangalyaan spacecraft successfully entered orbit around the Red Planet after a 10-month journey today early morning. India became the first nation to reach Mars on its maiden attempt yesterday when its low-cost Mangalyaan spacecraft successfully entered orbit around the Red Planet. India now joins an elite club of the United States, Russia and Europe who can boast of reaching Mars. The 3,000 pound Mars satellite has reportedly cost $75 million and 18 months to build. It is only the fourth mission to enter the Martian orbit, following probes from the United States, Russia and the European space agency. The darling of Martian dreamers - American rover Curiosity, which has been sitting on the surface of the Red Planet - costed over $2 billion. The success of Indias Mars Orbiter Mission or Mangalyaan is a matter of great pride. It underscores the scientific calibre and technological prowess of our scientists, engineers and technicians. It reinforces Indias position as an emerging scientific and economic power with exceptional human resources for innovation and achievement, JS Mukul, the Indian ambassador to the Sultanate, wrote in an email to Times of Oman. The Mars Orbiter Mission, Indias first interplanetary mission was launched by Indias workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on November 5, 2013. Mangalyaan will circle the planet for six months as its instruments gather data, including measuring the presence of methane gas, a marker of life on the planet. The satellite has covered 670 million kilometres to reach Mars. For the last 10 years, Science India Forum is organising science fest for Indian school students to generate more interest in science and technology among them. India has so far launched 40 satellites for foreign nations, since kickstarting its space programme five decades ago.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 11:15:15 +0000
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