Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G Madhavan Nair on Wednesday congratulated all scientists and workers associated with the Mars Orbiter craft, which successfully entered the orbit of Mars, calling it the dawn of a new era for India.
With this accomplishment, India became the first country to have been successful in entering the orbit of Mars in the first attempt.
Speaking to ANI, Nair said, "Today, the early morning hours have been crucial and it is an extremely proud moment for every Indian that India has broken all records. We have travelled to the farthest point, travelling a few million kilometres and have reached Mars."
"In the global community, India's status as a space faring nation is once again taken to a much higher level. This will mark a new era for our country," he added.
Extending his congratulations to all Indians, Nair said, "The mission planning, mission implementation and every activity for the last 300 days have been happening very accurately and the ultimate result is success."
Nair further said that a future straight out of science-fiction could now be possible.
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"The mission will give us some inputs as to the Martian atmosphere, for example, the presence or absence of methane which may result in man landing on Mars and ultimately establishing colonies on that planet," he said.
Nair stepped down as the chairman of ISRO in October 2009 after the Apex-Devas controversy and was replaced by incumbent K Radhakrishnan.