"This spaceship to Mars will be a huge step for us in the area of science and technology," said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
India follows the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and China, who have already sent missions to Mars.
Of course, with India still recovering from a massive electricity blackout, the announcement could not have come at a worst time. Critics of the announcement worry that India has bigger problems at home and planetary missions are a luxury the Indian people cannot afford. Of course, the United States had a few problems at home itself as it was planning some of its space missions. For instance, the moon mission was being implemented while the country was facing the Vietnam War abroad and race riots at home. Competition with Russia was still paramount during this period, as was national pride. India is no different, though its competition is with neighboring China.
The announcement may have unintended consequences. The United Kingdom is already reconsidering the economic assistance it provides to India. The Economic Times reported Conservative MP Philip Davies stated, "If they can afford to have some high-tech mission to Mars they can afford to look after their own people without British taxpayers having to put their hands in their pockets for money they haven't got."
