On November 17, 2025, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, completed 9 years in orbit around Mars. Launched in November 2013, MOM marked India’s debut in interplanetary exploration. It became the fourth country, after the US, Russia, and Europe, to successfully send a mission to Mars. This achievement was particularly notable because India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), accomplished the mission on a relatively modest budget, showcasing its growing prowess in space technology.
Mangalyaan has provided crucial data about the Martian atmosphere, surface, and mineral composition, contributing valuable insights to ongoing scientific investigations about the Red Planet. The spacecraft’s success was celebrated globally, particularly as it had a high success rate compared to similar missions by other nations. Over its nine years in orbit, Mangalyaan has sent back critical data, particularly on the composition of Mars’ atmosphere, its weather patterns, and evidence of water ice beneath its surface.
The success of Mangalyaan is a testament to the capabilities of ISRO and India’s space ambitions. It has significantly boosted the country’s standing in the global space community and highlighted India’s growing importance in space research.
Q: How many years has India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) completed in orbit as of November 2025?
A: 9 years.
