(a) whether India`s Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM) was successful;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total expenditure incurred on this Mission since its inception;
(d) the benefits accrued/likely to accrue as a result of launch of MoM; and
(e) the details of future programme proposed by ISRO in near future and the budgetary allocation made for the same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was successfully launched on 5th November 2013 onboard PSLV-C25 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. After the launch, series of orbit raising manoeuvers were performed to raise the apogee (farthest point to Earth) of the orbiter. Subsequently, Trans Mars Injection manoeuver was conducted on December 01, 2013 to set the Spacecraft in its course towards Planet Mars. After a journey of nearly 300 days in deep space, Mars Orbiter Spacecraft was successfully placed into an elliptical orbit around planet Mars on September 24, 2014.
(c) As on 31st March 2014, the total expenditure incurred on this Mission since its inception is `349.90 Crores
(d) The benefits accrued / likely to accrue from MOM include (1) technological up-gradation in the area of space technology, (2) providing excellent opportunities in planetary research for the scientific community of the country, (3) enthusing the younger generation to take up space science & planetary research, (4) enhanced scientific knowledge about Martian surface and atmosphere.
(e) The space programme to be undertaken by ISRO in near future as a part of 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) includes development of advanced launch vehicle systems including next generation GSLV Mk III, earth observational satellites with improved reso- lution (Resourcesat-2A, Cartosat-2E, Cartosat-3), advanced communication satellite (GSAT-11, GSAT-15, 16, 17, 18 & 19, GSAT-6), completion of IRNSS constellation (IRNSS-1D,1E,1F & 1G), development of critical technologies for space transpo- rtation system and satellites for space science and planetary exploration purposes, including Aditya-1, Chandrayaan-2 & Astrosat.
The indicative plan outlay for space programme for 12th Five Year Programme is `39,750 crores and the budgetary allocation required for these programmes will be met out of the overall plan allocation for the department.