Mars mission will inspire India’s youth, say scientists

Scientists in the city of Mangalore have defended the Indian government’s decision to spend 4.5 billion rupees (€54 million) on the Mangalyaan orbiter mission to Mars.

In a report in the newspaper The Hindu, several leading researchers said the mission, which launched on 5 November, would kindle interest in science among the country’s younger generation. 

On concerns that the mission is too expensive for a country still grappling with high levels of poverty, one of the scientists said: “We have to develop this technology. There is no choice. You cannot buy it in the market.”