Narendra Modi congratulating the ISRO Chairman, Dr. K Radhakrishnan after successful Insertion of Mars Orbiter (Mangalyan) into the Mars orbit, at ISRO Headquarters, in Bengaluru on September 24, 2014

On September 24, 2014, India created Space history when ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) successfully entered the orbit of the red planet. And in doing so, it created a record of sorts by being the first nation to enter the Mars orbit in its very first attempt, besides being the cheapest every programme till now.

It is a matter of immense pride for all Indians as the scientific community has delivered yet again. It may be mentioned that Europe, US and Russian programmes have managed to orbit or land on Mars, but only after several attempts.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi who witnessed the insertion procedure at ISRO in Bangalore, praised the scientists for their hard work and dedication and for having gone beyond the boundaries of human enterprise and imagination. Mr. Narendra Modi said that he had chosen to be present at ISRO today, unmindful of success or failure of the mission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting ISRO scientists before Insertion of Mars Orbiter (Mangalyan) into the Mars orbit, at ISRO Headquarters, in Bengaluru on September 24, 2014. The ISRO Chairman, Dr. K Radhakrishnan is also seen.

PSLV - C25 with MOM launched on November 5, 2013.

Exhorting the scientists to set even more challenging targets for themselves, he said he had confidence that they would be able to achieve even those targets. You have "made a habit of achieving the impossible." About the acronym MOM, he said 'MOM never disappoints', thus striking an emotional chord.

Mr. Narendra Modi said the success of the space programme is a shining symbol of what we are capable of as a nation. A successful space programme generates applications across multiple domains. The efforts of India`s space scientists are deepening our governance, strengthening our economy and improving our lives. Noting that the whole nation celebrates when the cricket team wins a tournament, the Prime Minister described the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission as a thousand times greater, and said all Indians must celebrate the success of our space scientists today. Let India celebrate the achievements of its scientists. Let students in every school and college applaud their efforts, he added.

Key Facts

• ISRO launched MOM on November 2013
• ISRO joins elite group
• India is the only country to have succeeded in its first attempt.
• Only 3 other agencies (NASA, European Space Agency and Soviet Union) have successfully reached the red planet
• Of the 51 missions, attempted across the world so far, a mere 21 had succeeded.
• MOM has travelled over 650 million or 65 crore kms
• At its closest point, the orbiter will be 365 km from the planet's surface and at its furthest – 80,000 km
• Mangalyaan is the size of a Tata Nano car
• MOM conceived, planned and implemented on a shoestring budget of Rs. 450 crores ($67 million)
• Mangalyaan was put together in a record time of 15 months
• MOM will explore the surface of Mars, its morphology, mineralogy and atmosphere.