(a) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation has finally decided not to send a manned mission to the outer space;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation is focussing on sending an unmanned spacecraft to the moon;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the target fixed therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
ATOMIC ENERGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
SPACE (SHRI S.B. MOOKHERJEE):
(a)&(b) Till date India has no plans for undertaking a manned space mission.
Unmanned exploration of moon by sending orbiting spacecraft will enhance
the understanding of moon and also will result in technology advancement for
the future space programme.
(c),(d)&(e) Yes, Sir. The National Task Team, set up to study a proposal for an
unmanned spacecraft mission to moon, has submitted its report. The proposal
is to send an unmanned spacecraft to orbit the moon at a height of 100 km.
The spacecraft will be launched using India`s own launch vehicle. The
mission is planned for the scientific objective of high-resolution remote
sensing of the lunar surface in visible, near-infrared, low-energy X-ray and
high-energy X-ray spectra. The mission can be realised in about 5 years after
the approval of the project.