On this day, india reached Mars with Mangalyaan; on a budget smaller than a bond film

On November 5, 2013, India took a historic step towards Mars with the launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, solidifying its position in the global space arena. Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), this mission was a significant achievement, aiming to not only investigate the Martian environment but also to advance India’s space technology.

In less than a year after its launch, on September 24, 2014, Mangalyaan accomplished what many deemed improbable: it became the first Asian spacecraft to successfully reach Mars and the only one globally to do so on its very first try.

The mission set out to investigate the Martian atmosphere, surface characteristics, and mineral composition, employing five scientific instruments onboard the orbiter. Throughout its over seven-year journey, Mangalyaan sent back an extensive array of data, deepening our knowledge of Mars and shedding light on aspects like Martian dust storms, methane traces, and atmospheric behaviors.

The success of Mangalyaan has garnered international acclaim, earning admiration and respect from prominent space agencies worldwide. Accomplishing this feat on its very first attempt is a rare milestone in space exploration, particularly for a nation with a limited budget, demonstrating that India could aspire to great heights—and achieve even greater results.