Question : Launch of Satellites

(a) whether the Government has provided adequate funds for the SHAR Centre Sriharikota and ISRO Centres across the country in the last two years;
(b) if so, the details thereof and funds allocated for SHAR Centre and ISRO Centres;
(c) whether the Government has signed MoU or any agreements with foreign countries for the launching of their satellites/ space ships from SHAR Centre Sriharikota;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the summary of the MoU/agreements signed between India and other foreign countries;
(e) the details of income generated/to be generated for using our SHAR Centre Sriharikota for the launch of their satellites/space vehicles etc.; and
(f) the steps taken by the Government to increase the strength of qualified people at SHAR Centre and ISRO?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The funds allocated for SHAR Centre and other ISRO Centres during last two years are given below:
[Rs in Crores]
Centre/ Unit Budget Allocated (2014-15) Budget Allocated (2015-16)
Satish Dhawan Space Centre - SHAR 527.00 722.68
Other ISRO Centres/ Programmes 5299.00 6236.76
Total 5826.00 6959.44

(c)&(d) No Madam. The launching of satellites of foreign customers, on-board India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is facilitated through Antrix corporation limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of DOS. As on date, 79 satellites from 21 countries have been successfully launched on-board PSLV from SHAR, Sriharikota. Towards launching of these foreign satellites, Antrix has entered into 41 Launch Services Agreement with foreign customer viz. Argentina (1), Algeria (2), Belgium (1), Canada (11), France (2), Germany (7), Italy (1), Indonesia (2), Israel (1), Japan (1), Luxembourg (1), Netherlands (1), Republic of Korea (1), Singapore (3), UK (2) and USA (4).

(e) The income generated so far through launching of these 79 foreign satellites amounts to approx. 21.7 Million USD and 127 Million Euros.

(f) To meet the increased demands for space based services in the Country and to enhance the core competency in the Organisation, a proposal for suitably augmenting the manpower, has been generated and the same has been reviewed and recommended by the Space Commission. Further, the proposal for augmentation of human resources has been taken up and is under processing.

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