posted 08-17-2012 08:49 AM
Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, announced a 4.5 billion rupee (£52 million) unmanned mission to Mars during a speech Wednesday (Aug. 15) marking the 65th anniversary of India's independence from British rule, the Telegraph reports.
"This spaceship to Mars will be a huge step for us in the area of science and technology," he said.
The Mars mission will raise questions about British aid to India. The sum of the programme is about a sixth of what it receives each year from Britain in aid.
The spacecraft will orbit Mars to collect data after its launch in November 2013 on a frequently used rocket developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
India has had an active space programme since the 1960s and has launched scores of satellites for itself and other countries.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 08-17-2012 11:30 AM
Interesting. I did not realize India was still receiving aid from any national government.
fredtrav Member
Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
posted 08-17-2012 11:40 AM
They seem to have a problem even keeping the electrical grids operating. While I agree science needs to be funded, they have some very basic infrastructure needs that must be addressed.