India is attempting to become just the fourth country or group to reach Mars after successfully launching a spacecraft heading for the Red Planet, according to the Associated Press.
Hundreds gathered to watch the Mars orbiter launch from the east-coast island of Sriharikota and more watched on TV.
Officials at India's Space Research Organization called it a "textbook launch," saying it couldn't have gone better.
"Capturing and igniting the young minds of India and across the globe will be the major return from this mission," mission director P. Kunhikrishnan said from the launch site, according to AP.
The only countries to reach the Red Planet so far is the Soviet Union, U.S., and Europe.
The orbiter, which has been named Mangalyaan, separated from the rocket 44 minutes after being launched. It entered an elliptical path around Earth shortly after, according to AP.
During the next 20-25 days, the orbiter will conduct a number of technical maneuvers and short burns to raise its orbit before being slingshot towards Mars.
"The biggest challenge will be precisely navigating the spacecraft to Mars," said K. Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Indian Space and Research Organization. "We will know if we pass our examination on Sept. 24, 2014."
The 3,000 lbs orbiter will travel 485 miles over the next 300 days to reach an orbit around Mars by September 2014.
Once arriving at Mars, the rover will search for methane, a key chemical in life processes on Earth, according to AP.
"We're pulling for India," said Bruce Jakosky, project leader for the U.S. spacecraft. "The more players we have in space exploration the better."
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