This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-29357438

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
India's Mars satellite 'Mangalyaan' takes first pictures India's Mars satellite 'Mangalyaan' sends first images
(about 3 hours later)
The Indian satellite which entered orbit around Mars on Wednesday has begun work, taking pictures of the planet's surface, media reports say. India's space agency has released its first picture of Mars, taken by its satellite which entered orbit around the Red Planet on Wednesday.
Space agency officials said a handful of images had been sent and were being processed before being released. "The view is nice up here," tweeted @isro. A handful of images have been sent by the Mangalyaan probe so far.
The "Mangalyaan" robotic probe, one of the cheapest interplanetary missions ever, will also study the Red Planet's atmosphere. Part of its mission is to study the Martian atmosphere for signs of life.
Media in India have hailed the mission as a "historic achievement". It is the first time a maiden voyage to Mars has entered orbit successfully and it is the cheapest. Nasa's current Maven mission cost 10 times more.
Media in India have hailed the venture as a "historic achievement".
The Hindu newspaper reported that the probe "has beamed back about 10 pictures of the Red Planet's surface which show some craters".The Hindu newspaper reported that the probe "has beamed back about 10 pictures of the Red Planet's surface which show some craters".
Officials were quoted by the newspaper as saying the pictures were of "good quality". They will reportedly be shown to Prime Minister Narendra Modi before being made public. Officials were quoted by the newspaper as saying the pictures were of "good quality".
Analysis - Jonathan Amos, Science correspondentAnalysis - Jonathan Amos, Science correspondent
India's space programme has succeeded at the first attempt where others have failed - by sending an operational mission to Mars.India's space programme has succeeded at the first attempt where others have failed - by sending an operational mission to Mars.
The Mangalyaan satellite was confirmed to be in orbit shortly after 0800, Indian time. It is, without doubt, a considerable achievement. It is, without doubt, a considerable achievement. This is a mission that has been budgeted at 4.5bn rupees ($74m), which, by Western standards, is staggeringly cheap.
This is a mission that has been budgeted at 4.5bn rupees ($74m), which, by Western standards, is staggeringly cheap.
The American Maven orbiter that arrived at the Red Planet on Monday is costing almost 10 times as much.The American Maven orbiter that arrived at the Red Planet on Monday is costing almost 10 times as much.
Back in June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even quipped that India's real-life Martian adventure was costing less than the make-believe Hollywood film Gravity.Back in June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even quipped that India's real-life Martian adventure was costing less than the make-believe Hollywood film Gravity.
Why India's Mars mission is so cheap - and thrillingWhy India's Mars mission is so cheap - and thrilling
Maiden successMaiden success
Reports said the camera was the first of the instruments being carried by the satellite to be switched on, a few hours after it entered the planet's orbit.Reports said the camera was the first of the instruments being carried by the satellite to be switched on, a few hours after it entered the planet's orbit.
India's 1,350kg (2,976lb) robotic satellite, which undertook a 10-month-long 200-million-kilometre journey, is equipped with five instruments.India's 1,350kg (2,976lb) robotic satellite, which undertook a 10-month-long 200-million-kilometre journey, is equipped with five instruments.
They include a thermal imaging spectrometer to map the surface and mineral wealth of the planet and a sensor to track methane or marsh gas - a possible sign of life.They include a thermal imaging spectrometer to map the surface and mineral wealth of the planet and a sensor to track methane or marsh gas - a possible sign of life.
The mission will also analyse the thin Martian atmosphere.The mission will also analyse the thin Martian atmosphere.
India has become the fourth nation or geo-bloc to put a satellite into orbit around Mars. India has become the fourth nation or geo-bloc to put a satellite into orbit around Mars, and the first from Asia.
Only the US, Russia and Europe have previously sent missions to Mars, and India has succeeded on its first attempt - an achievement that eluded even the Americans and the Soviets. Only the US, Russia and Europe have previously sent missions to Mars, and India has succeeded at its first attempt - an achievement that eluded even the Americans and the Soviets.