Indians woke up on Wednesday morning to the news that the country's Mangalyaan mission had successfully locked into orbit around Mars. Scientists in the Indian Space Research Organisation control room in Bangalore broke into cheers as orbiter’s engines completed the 24 minutes of burn time it needed to manoeuvre the spacecraft into its place around the red planet.
Shortly afterwards, @MarsOribter, the official Twitter account for ISRO’s Mars Orbiter, was set up. In four hours, it gained about 40,000 followers. NASA’s Curiosity Rover tweeted a welcome to India’s Mars Orbiter and the Mars Orbiter promptly replied.
Social media, especially Twitter, erupted with jokes on the cost of the mission and Arnab Goswami's Newshour show.
Shortly afterwards, @MarsOribter, the official Twitter account for ISRO’s Mars Orbiter, was set up. In four hours, it gained about 40,000 followers. NASA’s Curiosity Rover tweeted a welcome to India’s Mars Orbiter and the Mars Orbiter promptly replied.
Howdy @MarsCuriosity ? Keep in touch. I'll be around.
— ISRO's Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 24, 2014Social media, especially Twitter, erupted with jokes on the cost of the mission and Arnab Goswami's Newshour show.
Sorry. Today @MarsOrbiter brings the world to us. RT @PTI_News: "WE BRING THE WORLD TO YOU". PTI — Faking News (@fakingnews) September 24, 2014First signal sent by orbiter is picture of a signboard that reads "Come, Make in Mars." — Faking News (@fakingnews) September 24, 2014WHY IS THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT WASTING MONEY ON #Mangalyaan WHEN WE CAN USE THAT MONEY TO BUILD STATUES? — Yogi Scotchynath (@scotchism) September 24, 2014Today on Newshour: "Where are the men on Mars? Nation wants to know! Sent them all to Earth on exotic junkets?" Martian: "Let me finish..." — Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) September 24, 2014I love how "Dude! Your MOM went to Mars" is now a legitimate and sensible sentence. Congrats!!!! #isro #Mangalyaan — Virr Das (@thevirdas) September 24, 2014Scientist: Mangalyaan! Hello? Hello? We lost the connection? Lets ask Arnab.. Arnab: HELLO! CAN U HEAR ME? Mangalyaan: Arnab dheere bol! — Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 24, 2014Don't forget to watch @thenewshour tonight... pic.twitter.com/8CeWpZnatp
— EssKay (@musingsman) September 24, 2014I bet China tried to launch their Orbiter to Mars but halfway through they found out that it was actually a DVD player
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) September 24, 2014Intl. media reacting to our MOM clearance at 1st attempt like local aunties reacting to lafanga long haired boy clearing CA on first attempt — Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) September 24, 2014I guess per km cost of #Mangalyaan at about Rs.7/KM is cheaper than a Auto Rickshaw ride in Bangalore! #ISRO #MissionMars — Avinash Bhat (@avinashbhat01) September 24, 2014The cost of Mangalyaan is 11.5 Rs /km ,that is less than the minimum fare of auto.Just Awesome.#MarsMission #ProudIndian — Stavin (@PreservedSoul) September 24, 2014With the success of Mangalyaan, BCCI is already planning a Mars Premier League. #MPL
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 24, 2014Congratulations India, whose #Mangalyaan rocket is now orbiting Mars! I've never seen Brahmā so proud! He's crying all eight eyes out!
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) September 24, 2014Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!