Celebratory mood at command centre after historic Mars feat

Nail biting moments gave way to celebratory mood at the command centre of Indian Space Research Organisation here today, as the historic arrival of India's spacecraft in the Martian orbit was announced.
An air of expectancy combined with anxiety pervaded the Centre as space scientists carrying their Mars dream awaited the outcome of the final operation that began at 4.17 AM and greeted with applause each successful step.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present to witness the Space history in the making by India, himself appeared savouring the thrilling moments.
The first sign of success of India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) emerged when the main engine (Liquid Apogee Motor) and thrusters on the spacecraft sprang to life after being dormant for 300 days since the odyssey began.

As MOM remained in the shadow of Mars when the spacecraft went behind the red planet, there was blackout with no signals from Mangalyaan to Earth.
Minutes later, a beaming and composed ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan walked upto the Prime Minister to inform about the success of the mission.
An overjoyed Modi hugged the ISRO chief and patted on his back for the success before he announced the historic achievement of India.
"Today MOM has met Mangal. Today Mangal has got MOM," said Modi announcing the mission's success after he went upto the rostrum clapping vigorously.