Indian Mars mission blasts off from southern spaceport

NEW DELHI - Agence France-Presse

This photograph taken on October 30, 2013 shows an Indian security forces member keeping watch near the PSLV-C25 launch vehicle, carrying the Mars Orbiter probe as its payload, at the Indian Space Research Organisation facility in Sriharikota, ahead its planned launch on November 5. AFP Photo

India's first mission to Mars blasted off Tuesday with the country aiming to become the only Asian nation to reach the Red Planet with a programme showcasing its low-cost space technology.
 
"It's lift off," said a commentator on state television as the red-and-black rocket launched on schedule at 02:38pm (0908 GMT) from its launchpad in Sriharikota.