New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam on February 3 said the Columbia space shuttle mishap will not deter space scientists from their urge to explore and ultimately man will one day land on Mars.

"Man one day will land in various planets. Man one day will land (even) on Mars (the farthest of all planets)," he told reporters when asked about the Columbia accident which killed India-born Kalpana Chawla.

The President said right from the days of Wright brothers, there had been accidents.

But, there had also been progress, he said after the Dadabhai Naoroji Memorial Award presentation ceremony. The award was presented to Dr R A Mashelkar, Council of Industrial and Scientific Research chief.

"There are accidents and sacrifices, but one should not get frightened," he said, adding, "People should learn from mistakes."

"Ultimately the reasons of the Columbia accident will be found out. The aim should not be shattered," Kalam said.

Exploration of other planets and exploitation of their wealth had become essential as population was increasing, he said.

Earlier, at the award presentation ceremony, Kalam said to make India a developed nation by 2020, each Indian would have to contribute.

Recollecting an incident in which he was asked by a student in Nagaland as to how students could contribute in making India a developed country, Kalam said students must play a role in removing illiteracy.

PTI