India's space agency ISRO achieved a historic milestone on Saturday as its Mangalyaan-3 rover successfully touched down on the surface of Mars. India becomes the fourth country to accomplish this feat, after the US, China, and Russia.

The rover, named Prithvi, will spend the next two years analyzing soil samples and searching for signs of ancient microbial life. It carries six scientific instruments developed entirely by Indian engineers.

ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath called the landing a proud moment for India's scientific community. The entire mission cost approximately $150 million, making it one of the most cost-effective Mars missions in history.

World leaders congratulated India on the achievement, with NASA Administrator offering to collaborate on data sharing from the mission. The success has boosted India's growing space program.