Question : Launch of Satellites

(a) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has decided to increase the number of satellites to be launched over the next few years;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this direction;
(c) whether the Government/ISRO has chalked out any action plan to achieve the target, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether ISRO is working on any programme to complete the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System and launch its solar mission;
(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be completed; and
(f) the funds allocated for the purpose?

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

(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION NO.243 REGARDING "LAUNCH OF SATELLITES” ASKED BY SHRI BHOLA SINGH AND DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015.

(a) Yes Madam.

(b) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) proposes to increase the number of satellites to be launched over the next few years in the areas of satellite communication & navigation, earth observation, meteorology, space science & planetary exploration to meet the increasing developmental needs of the country. In order to achieve this, efforts have been made to increase the throughput of delivery of the various systems and subsystems from the existing industrial partners along with the identification and qualification of additional work centres. In addition, the launch infrastructure in Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, is being augmented with a second Vehicle Assembly Building to support the increased number of launches. Further assembly, integration and test facilities at ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore and Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad are also being suitably augmented.
(c) Yes Madam. The action plan includes - (i) maximising the use of existing facilities, (ii) increasing the throughput through augmentation of in-house facilities & enhanced industry participation, (iii) establishment of additional liquid propellant plant, (iv) assembly & integration of stages through industry and (v) reducing the turn-around time between launches.
(d) Yes Madam.

(e) ISRO is developing Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) consisting of a constellation of 7 satellites. Four of the seven satellites namely, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D have already been placed in orbit. The remaining three satellites namely, IRNSS-1E, 1F and 1G are planned to be realised by March 2016. With regard to ground infrastructure to operate IRNSS constellation, all primary facilities have been established. Establishment of backup navigation and timing centres is in progress. Two ranging and integrity monitoring stations are contemplated in Indonesia and Mauritius, for which the work is under progress.
ISRO is working on the development, realisation and launch of the first Indian solar mission, Aditya-L1. This mission is aimed at studying the Sun from an orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian Point-1 (L1) which is about 1.5 million kilometer from the Earth. It will carry seven payloads including a coronagraph to observe the outermost layers of the Sun, the corona. Aditya-L1 will be launched during 2019-2020 timeframe.

(f) A budget of Rs.1420 Crores has been approved by the Government for the realisation of IRNSS programme including satellites and associated ground segment. The approved cost for Aditya-L1 satellite is Rs.378.53 Crores.

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