On April 5th, 2014, India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, successfully entered Martian orbit. The mission, launched on November 5th, 2013, was India's first interplanetary mission and aimed to study the Martian atmosphere and surface.
With the success of MOM, India became the first Asian nation to reach Mars and the fourth in the world after the United States, Russia, and the European Space Agency. The mission was also the cheapest Mars mission to date, with a budget of around $74 million.
The Mars Orbiter Mission used the Earth's gravity to propel itself towards Mars, covering a distance of around 680 million kilometers. The spacecraft carried five scientific instruments, including a camera, a thermal infrared spectrometer, and a methane sensor, among others.
The successful entry of MOM into Martian orbit was hailed as a major achievement for India's space program and a source of national pride. It highlighted India's growing expertise in space technology and its ability to undertake complex space missions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a congratulatory message, praised the scientists and engineers who worked on the mission and said that the success of MOM was a "historic achievement" for India. He also highlighted the importance of scientific research and innovation for India's development and progress.
The Mars Orbiter Mission was expected to provide valuable data on the Martian atmosphere and surface, which could help scientists understand the evolution of Mars and the possibility of life on the planet. The mission was also expected to pave the way for future space exploration missions by India and other countries.
In conclusion, the successful entry of India's Mars Orbiter Mission into Martian orbit on April 5th, 2014, was a significant milestone for India's space program and a source of national pride. It demonstrated India's growing expertise in space technology and its ability to undertake complex space missions. The mission was expected to provide valuable scientific data on Mars and pave the way for future space exploration missions.
