Mars mission: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy congratulates ISRO for successful launch

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy congratulated the ISRO for the successful launch of ' Mangalyan', Mars Orbiter Spacecraft.

Reddy congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists, led by chairman K Radhakrishnan, on the successful launch of the country's first mission to Mars this afternoon from the Sriharikota spaceport, beginning a 300-day journey to study the Martian atmosphere.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said, "The blast off was perfect. It's a great achievement. ISRO scientists deserve all kudos for the precision-like successful launch."

"My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team. It's a historic day for the country," he added.

Kiran said the Mars Mission has so far been progressing well and expressed hope that it would reach its goal.

He expressed happiness that India joined the elite club of few countries in the world in exploring Mars.

The Chief Minister noted that it was a big achievement for the Indian space scientists that the project was completed in 15 months at a cost of just Rs 450 crore.

Meanwhile, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also congratulated the ISRO team.

"ISRO scientists have flown India's tricolour high in the space by successfully launching Mangalyan. It gives happiness that the 300-day mission has been launched on a successful note, which is another milestone in India's space programme," Chandrababu said in a message.