A mission to Mars is anything but straightforward and India could realistically become the fourth space agency to successfully reach the Red Planet after a seamless launch.

According to the Associated Press, India is on its way to Mars after their rocket left Earth carrying the Mangalyaan orbiter, which means "Mars craft" in Hindi. NASA's Curiosity rover could have company from above if the mission goes according to plan form here on out.

Just under an hour after launch, the orbiter detached from the rocket and began its orbital path around Earth. Within the next 20-25 days, the orbiter will perform various actions and tests before beginning its journey toward Mars.

Mangalyaan mission director P. Kunhikrishnan said the goal for India's space agency to show the world what technological advances it has made.

"Capturing and igniting the young minds of India and across the globe will be the major return from this mission," he said.

S. Ramakrishnan, head of the space center and launch authorization board, said the mission represents a major leap forward for the country's space program. They could join the exclusive company of the U.S., the Soviet Union and Europe as the only space agencies to reach Mars.

"With teamwork and the kind of dedication we have today, any mission is not beyond our capability," he said.

Still, the team only has the first phase out of the way and K. Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Indian Space and Research Organization, acknowledged more challenges will lie ahead.

"The biggest challenge will be precisely navigating the spacecraft to Mars," he said. "We will know if we pass our examination on Sept. 24, 2014."

Many Indians gathered and watched in amazement as the rest of the world looked on via live broadcasts. Among those proud Indians was 13-year-old Pratibha Maurya, who watched the launch with her father and others from the Nehru Planetarium in New Delhi.

Exclaimed the young girl, "It's a really big thing for India!"