(Scientists work on Mangalyaan. / via Creative Commons)

Facilitated by the Indian Space Research Organization, India's first Mars orbiter, named Mangalyaan, left Earth's orbit on Sunday after launch. The orbiter is expected to collect images and data that would help in studying how the Martian weather systems function and explore the reasons why large quantities of water that was once on Mars disappeared. 

However, not all are excited about India's venture into the red planet. Critics have questioned the use of $72 million dollars into the project when vast majority of Indian people still live in abject poverty. The Indian government has backed the project, however, by citing its importance to providing technical jobs for scientists and engineers, while allowing for an opportunity to solve problems back on Earth.

India's Mars mission also highlights its rivalry with China, which has been its competitor in India's own "space race". China has considered the possibility of a manned space mission to the moon after 2020 and has recently launched its moon rover into space, expected to land on the moon on Monday.  

If successful, the Indian orbiter will reach Mars orbit by next September.

Reach Executive Producer Shoko Oda here.