China has also sent three manned missions into space.

BBC: South Korea rocket 'explodes' moments after take-off

To date, China has so far launched four unmanned space missions to test the hardware for the manned flight.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | China manned space mission nears

India says its space program, which also includes a plan to send manned moon missions, helps its scientists develop technology that can be used in other sectors.

WSJ: India Plans Mars Mission in October