Ancestor worship is next?

I read this deeply disturbing article in The Hindu today. Here is the bit that provoked this post.

“In 2005, space scientists had travelled to Tirupati to seek blessings of Lord Venkateswara before launching the rocket and satellite.”

I am not going to question the effectiveness of almighty's blessings here. But even the most ardent believers among us should question our scientists on the grounds of intellectual accountability.

I will not complain if our scientists are sending rockets with their father-in-law's money and hoping for the almighty to propel it faster. But the 40.74 Billion Rupees, earmarked for space programs in India, is being taken out of our tax money. If I am paying for servicing my car, I would expect the mechanic to be capable of fixing all technical hitches by himself. If he says he has to dance naked around his tool box for the engine to work well, I am perfectly justified in doubting his abilities. There is nothing offensive in holding him accountable for his irrationality and asking him to explain the knowledge gap that led to such irrational behavior.

Shouldn't the same standards of intellectual accountability be applicable for our scientists also? Aren't they obligated to explain us how the rocket becomes faster, safer or better when the blessings are factored in?