The Indian Space Research Organisation has released a series of beautiful images taken by the country’s Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter. The images reveal striking details of the Ophir Chasma, a canyon that spans about 186 miles of the planet’s surface.
The orbiter marks India’s first interplanetary space venture.
The Mars probe’s goal is to explore the “red planet’s” surface features, mineralogy, atmosphere, and morphology. The Indian space mission also aims to seek out the presence of methane in the planet’s atmosphere, which would give clues as to the possible presence of past life on Mars.
Related: Experts: Cheap Mars mission could prove lucrative for India
The images of the canyon were taken on July 19 by the orbiter’s Mars Colour Camera.
India’s successful, low-cost Mars mission has been lauded as a major milestone for the country’s space program, with experts predicting that it could open the door to lucrative space deals with the U.S. and Europe.
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