Question : SPACE EXPLORATION



(a) whether ISRO has any plans for space exploration in the coming years;

(b) if so, the details of the plans; and

(c) the time by which such exploration would be carried out?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) India has planned the launch of the first mission to moon, Chandrayaan-1, with the main objective of physical and chemical mapping of the entire surface of the moon. ASTROSAT is another satellite planned for multi- wavelengths study of a variety of celestial phenomena.

(c) Chandrayaan-1 is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2008 and ASTROSAT is planned for launch during 2008-09.