(a) the steps taken by the Government towards achieving self-reliance in placing IRS and INSAT classes of satellites in the required orbits;
(b) the present status regarding development of Geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle;
(c) whether the Government will be able to launch the IRS-P5 and IRS-P6 indigenously during 2001-2002; and
(d) if so, the present status thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPACE (SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE):
(a) With the successful development and operationalisation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), self-reliance has been achieved in launching all our remote sensing satellites (IRS). Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which is under development, will cater to INSAT class of satellite launches from India.
(b) The first developmental flight of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is planned during the last week of March 2001. The launch vehicle is being integrated at Sriharikota (SHAR) launch complex. The satellite, GSAT-1, is already at SHAR. The first developmental flight will be followed by two more developmental flights during 2002-2003. With the successful completion of these flights, indigenous capability to launch 1800-2000kg. class satellites would be established.
(c)&(d) The development activities related to IRS-P5 (Cartosat-1) and IRS-P6 (Resourcesat-1) satellites have progressed satisfactorily at ISRO Centres. Various sub-systems of these spacecrafts are currently under fabrication and testing. It is expected that IRS-P6 satellite will be launched into orbit by early 2002 and IRS-P5 by end 2002.