Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization K. Radhakrishnan

Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization K. Radhakrishnan

Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization K. Radhakrishnan

As India prepares to launch its Rs 450 core mission to Mars this year, a top-notch space official says the nation's first Martian odyssey –  containing attracted some criticism – is not just for pride but also for undertaking “meaningful research”.

K Radhakrishnan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), also debunked perception in a few quarters the Mars Orbiter mission round the red planet, that’s just 3 months away, is primarily a “feel-good” package to simply pat ourselves in the back.

“It’s not for pride since the search for Mars has its own scientific value and maybe another habitat which individuals are talking about...might be twenty years...thirty years from now...it’s possible”, he stated in an interview, speaking about the colonization angle.

India would be the sixth country to file for a pursuit to Mars as soon as the U.S., Russia, Europe, China and Japan.

ISRO says the main objectives will be to demonstrate India’s technological capability to send a satellite to orbit around Mars and conduct meaningful experiments like searching for signs of life, take pictures with the red planet and look Martian environment.

“So, we mention Methane...that is of biological origin or geological origin. So, we have a methane sensor along with a thermal infrared spectrometer. Those two together will be able to give good info”, said Radhakrishnan, who is also Secretary within the Department of Space, said.

Critics of the Indian Mars mission wondered perhaps the country are able huge costs just for this space voyage.