New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the crucial 1.3-tonne Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) at the Spacecraft Control Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangalore on Wednesday morning.
The insertion operation of the ‘Mangalyaan', India's first Mars-bound spacecraft, was performed at 07 hours 17 minutes and 32 seconds. A team of 200 space scientists was busy round the clock to make the mission a success. The confirmation about its insertion into the orbit was received at 8.15 am.
"India, has successfully reached Mars. Congratulations to everyone, congrats to all of you," he said.
"History has been created today. ... we have achieved the near impossible. I congratulate all ISRO scientists and as well as all my fellow Indians on this history occasion," he added.
Scientists fired the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engine along with eight smaller liquid engines for about 24 minutes.
Excerpts of Narendra Modi's speech at ISRO
Travelling an incredible distance, of over 650 million or 65 crore kms, we have gone beyond boundaries, of human enterprise & imagination: PM
I had earlier said that we have limited resources... despite of this fact, we have achieved this. Our scientists have done a tremendous work. Many many congratulations to them.... I am pleased to be here today between them on this occasion: PM
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
With today's spectacular success, ISRO joins an elite group, of only 3 other agencies worldwide to have successfully reached red planet: PM
India is the only country, to have succeeded in its very first attempt: PM
Built it indigenously, in a pan-Indian effort, stretching from Bangalore to Bhubhaneshwar, and Faridabad to Rajkot: PM
These are all accomplishments that will go down as landmarks, in history: PM
No one represents this zeal for exploring the unknown more, than our space scientists, here at ISRO: PM
Through your achievements, you have honoured our fore-fathers, and inspired our future generations: PM
The success is signal of what our nation is capable of: PM
Our efforts have historically focussed on ultimate objective of nation-building. Of translating space technology into space applications: PM
Modern India, must continue, playing this leading role of ‘Jagad-guru Bharat': PM
Let today's success, drive us with even greater vigour, and conviction. Let's set ourselves, even more challenging goals: PM
This too, must become but a base, for challenging, the next frontier: PM
Atal ji's vision, had inspired us, to reach for the moon. The successful Chandrayan mission, in turn led, to the Mars Orbiter Mission: PM
Let today's success, drive us with even greater vigour, and conviction. Let's set ourselves, even more challenging goals: PM
This too, must become but a base, for challenging, the next frontier: PM
Let's celebrate for 5 minutes in every school, in every corner of our country today...'Bharat Ko Mangalmay Banaye'': PM
With the success of Rs 450 crore mission, India has now become the first country to enter the Mars orbit on a maiden mission. India has also become the first Asian country and ISRO the fourth space agency to send a satellite to the Red Planet. European, US and Russian probes have managed to orbit or land on the planet, but after several attempts.
The MOM was launched on November 5, 2013 by India's workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
