(a) whether the Department of Space has failed to fulfill satisfactorily the competitive requirements of sensitive policy bound and commercial sectors;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) the reforms made by the Government in this regard so that the department can function satisfactorily; and
(d) the success achieved so far by making above reforms?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) & (b)
No Madam. The Department of Space has been addressing key issues in the space sector, taking appropriate steps to encourage and avail the competitive requirements of sensitive policy bound and commercial sectors. This has facilitated development of different class of satellites and their launches using our own launch vehicles. The mechanism has also enabled DOS to develop cryogenic technology to cater to launch of heavier satellites from our own space port. Efforts have also been made to enhance capability, build capacity and throughput, which has resulted in increased frequency of launches during recent times. Also, there has been many innovative solutions and improvements brought out in the recent past with increased industry involvement. The efforts of the Department is to further improve the capabilities with newer mechanisms to involve industry to meet the demands. The Department has been encouraging a large number of industries in various sectors for realizing space systems, applications and operations.
(c) & (d)
In order to cope up with the enhanced national requirements of space systems and services, ISRO is making focused efforts, through appropriate transfer of technology and hand-holding, to enhance involvement of Indian industries towards productionization of integrated systems/ subsystems, including assembly and testing by vendor as per ISRO’s design. Towards this, discussions are being held with the Indian industry towards formulating a plan & strategy to enhance the capacity and capability of managing the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) programme on an end to end basis. ISRO has involved a consortium of 6 industries for Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of two similar satellites, wherein the sub-systems and infrastructure is being provided by ISRO. The AIT of the first satellite will be carried out by a joint team of ISRO & Industry and of the second satellite by the industry, independently.
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