(a) whether any proposal of Moon Mission is under the consideration of the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total cost of the Mission;
(d) whether any budgetary provision and planning has been made;
(e) if so, the details thereof;
(f) the benefits likely to be accrued by the said Mission; and
(g) the time by which the said Mission is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN):
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The Government has already approved the Project for Indian Moon Mission called Chandrayaan-1. The mission objective of the Chandrayaan-1 is to launch a spacecraft in a polar orbit around the moon using indigeneous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The main scientific objective is to obtain high resolution observational data of the lunar surface features and distribution of chemical and mineralogical constituents.
(c) The total cost of the Chandrayaan-1 Mission is Rs.386 Crores including the Deep Space Network Station which is required for tracking/communication with the spacecraft. This facility would be useful for providing tracking support to other/future planetary missions also.
(d)&(e) Yes, Sir. A provision of Rs.70.00 Crores was made for the current Financial Year 2004-05. Rs.106.00 Crores has been proposed for 2005-2006 for the Project. Chandrayaan-1 is planned for launch during 2007-08.
(f) The benefits that are likely to accrue from this Mission are
(i) enhancement of scientific knowledge about moon; and
(ii) upgradation of technological capability. The mission would also enthuse the younger generation of scientists in pursuit of planetary science which, when nurtured further, could provide immense benefits to the society at large.
(g) Chandrayaan-1 mission is expected to be realized in 2007-08.