India will conquer Mars

The Space Research Organization of India on July 16 said the government will soon approve the mission to conquer Mars with the space driver's craft.

Astrosat satellite

'India's most anticipated mission to conquer Mars is in the final approval phase,' The Times of India quoted K.Radhakrishnan, director of the agency, said.

'Many studies have been done regarding this mission,' added K.Radhakrishnan.

Global interest and excitement around the US Aeronautics and Space Science Laboratory (NASA) is expected to land on Red Planet on August 6, possibly as a owl. The Indian government approved the mission, a scientist said.

India's mission can be launched from Sriharikota in southern Andhra Pradesh state in November 2013, 2016 or 2018, according to The Times of India.

India's first dedicated astronomical satellite, Astrosat, will also be launched in 2013, according to Radhakrishnan.

'All equipment is going through the final evaluation phase and it will be a national laboratory for scientists both in India and abroad , ' said K.Radhakrishnan.