(a) whether India has received requests from a number of countries for launching their Satellites;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has only two satellite launch pads both of which are affected
during the cyclone season; and
(d) if so, the steps the Government is taking for setting up new launching sites?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched 29 satellites of 17 countries. ISRO, through ANTRIX
Corporation Ltd., has signed agreements for launching 12 satellites from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and
United Kingdom.
(c) ISRO has two satellite launch pads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, which is the main space-port of the
country. The launch pads have been built with state-of-art technology and also are designed and built to withstand cyclones.
However, as an abundant precaution, satellite launches are not planned for two months of cyclonic period during last quarter
of the year.
(d) Preliminary studies are underway to assess the need for a new launching site.