ISRO launch: Twitter trolls New York Times for two-year-old cartoon mocking Mangalayan Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a record 104 satellites, from seven different countries, into orbit today. The agency was using its PSLV-C37 workhorse for the mission, which had a previous best of 20 simultaneous satellite launches. The countdown for the launch of PSLV-C37/Cartosat2 Series satellite mission began at 5:28 AM soon after the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board gave its approval for lift off. PSLV first launched the 714 kg CARTOSAT-2 Series satellite for earth observation and then injected 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg at lift-off into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit, about 520 km from Earth.

#ISRO does not just do it again; by launching 104 satellites at one go, it sets a #WorldRecord too.

Video courtesy: @DDNewsLive @isro pic.twitter.com/TJdyVRv9EJ

— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 15, 2017

But in the midst of the success and several  congratulatory messages, a number of individuals on Twitter recalled a 2014 cartoon by The New York Times that allegedly poked fun at India's Mangalayan Mission to Mars. he cartoon showed a farmer with a cow knocking at the door of a room marked 'Elite Space Club' where two men sit reading a newspaper on India's feat. On September 24, India made history by successfully placing its spacecraft in orbit around Mars, becoming the first country in the world to succeed in such an inter-planetary mission in the maiden attempt itself.

At the time, Andrew Rosenthal, editorial page editor of the New York Times, wrote in a Facebook post that a "large number of readers" had complained about the cartoon. "The intent of the cartoonist, Heng Kim Song, was to highlight how space exploration is no longer the exclusive domain of rich, Western countries," Rosenthal said.

But Twitter isn't quick to forget and a series of tweets trolling the New York Times began after the successful launch

Knock Knock !! @nytimes

ISRO launched 104 satellites in a single mission
& Pls note 96 out of 104 satellites launched by ISRO were of USA. pic.twitter.com/UoMAg5U9HN

— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) February 15, 2017

@rishibagree @nytimes it's 'In Your Face' time. They won't acknowledge India and it's success. Spare their inferiority. We're above it all

— Truly SHINING BHARAT (@hpBhat28) February 15, 2017

ISRO launches 104 satellites in one go. Your move @NASA

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 15, 2017

2013: New York times publishes a cartoon mocking ISRO
2017: ISRO launches about 93 satellites of US #Karma#Admin: Srinivas

— Scintillations (@Scints) February 15, 2017

@Piyu909 @isro Trump send your scientists to learn from us and New York times please cover it.

— Ritupan Borah (@ritupan_borah) February 15, 2017

Dear The New York Times,
Take That.
ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully launched 20... https://t.co/kSf7wnDW1b

— Rishi (@Cricview) June 22, 2016

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages poured from all over the country

This remarkable feat by @isro is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2017

This is the seating diagram of an Indian Railways non-AC chair car.
Congrats ISRO on transporting even more satellites in a single rocket. pic.twitter.com/8a2TY48ov0

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) February 15, 2017

Pakistan set to launch its satellites in response to #ISRO's 104. That too with more horse power. pic.twitter.com/vCTonfKQnI

— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) February 15, 2017

We've seen enough sports inspiration films.
Would love to see one on #ISRO.
Inspire young scientists.
Hard to find better role models.

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) February 15, 2017

PAST: Transporting the rocket assembly by bullock carts. TODAY: Launching 140 satellites at one go. #ISRO we are so so proud of you #Salute pic.twitter.com/sVTys4eDsm

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) February 15, 2017