India's Mangalyaan orbiter successfully launched into space

by veya_victaous Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:37 pm

http://www.zgeek.com/indians-in-sssppaaaaaaaaaaaccceeeeee/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-05/india-mission-to-mars-makes-successful-launch/5071814

"It's lift off," said a commentator on state television as the red-and-black rocket launched into a slightly overcast sky on schedule from the spaceport in Sriharikota.

The 350-tonne launch vehicle, carrying an unmanned probe, was monitored by dozens of control room scientists who face their most daunting task since India began its space program in 1963.

The country has never before attempted interplanetary travel and more than half of all missions to Mars have ended in failure, including one by China in 2011 and another by Japan in 2003.

The Mars orbiter mission, known as Mangalyaan in India, was announced only 15 months ago by prime minister Manmohan Singh, shortly after China's attempt flopped when its rocket failed to leave Earth's atmosphere.

by Ben Reilly Wed Nov 06, 2013 10:00 pm

Awesome! Wish it was less about the rivalry between the nations, though.

India's Mangalyaan orbiter successfully launched into space

India's Mangalyaan orbiter successfully launched into space

Re: India's Mangalyaan orbiter successfully launched into space