India's mission to Mars successfully completed its first stage on Tuesday
BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today congratulated ISRO scientists on the successful launch of 'Mangalyaan' saying the milestone has placed India in a select club of countries. (
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Talking to reporters at the residence of senior party leader M M Joshi, Mr Modi said it is believed that Mars and Earth are connected to each other. "The probe will help the human race better understand the relation (between the two planets)," he said. (
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He hoped the launch of the 'Mangalyaan' (Mars orbiter) will augur well for India.
"When we had success in Chandrayan mission, I had gone there (ISRO) to thank the scientists and technicians. Today, I am not able to go there but I congratulate all those involved in the successful launching of the Mars Mission".
Mr Joshi, a physics professor, said it was time India worked more seriously on solid fuel technology as it can make the launch vehicle more compact and lighter. (
'It's lift off': 10-point cheatsheet on Mission to Mars)
"A GSLV launch vehicle would have been a better option.
But I believe for that we would have to wait for another year or so...the launch has put India in the league of four countries to have this capability," he said.
The BJP leader said since Indians believe Mars to be the son of Earth, the probe will help establish the fact that whether there was life or whether it is possible to have life on the Red Planet.