India has successfully launched a rocket to Mars, with the aim of becoming the fourth space agency to reach the red planet.
The unmanned spacecraft will travel for 300 days and is expected to reach Mars in September 2014.
Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation have said the mission is primarily aimed at testing the best technologies to fly, orbit and communicate from the red planet.
If the mission is successful, India will become the fourth in the world, after the US, Russia and Europe to reach Mars.
Such expenditure is, however, controversial, with some questioning whether India, where more than 40% of children are malnourished and half the population have no toilets, can afford the mission.
Such expenditure is, however, controversial, with some questioning whether India, where more than 40% of children are malnourished and half the population have no toilets, can afford the mission.