(a) whether the Government has made any proposal regarding search for life on new space objects and other planets ;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any scheme to promote new research works in space science;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the funds spent on space sector along with the new techniques patented during the last three years and the current year?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) & (b) At present, ISRO’s planetary missions are exploring the composition of the surface and atmosphere of planetary bodies with remote sensing tools in addition to high-resolution visible imaging to understand the terrain and topography. Our future missions to solar system may explore evidences for organics and future landing missions may include experiments to search for evidence of life.
(c) & (d) Department of Space has established one Regional Academic Centre for Space (RAC-S) at MNIT Jaipur. Department of Space has also signed an MoU with Central University of Jammu for establishment of a Centre for Space Science.
(e) A seed funding of Rs.2 Crores is offered to RAC-S to start with, which can be enhanced as the project progresses. All the above initiatives are in the initial phase of getting established; therefore no patents are filed as of now.
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