Lok Sabha Question No. 3115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Upgrading the Capability
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3115

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018

## UPGRADING THE CAPABILITY

## 3115.   ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India lags way behind the USA, China, Europe, Russia and Japan with respect to launch capability;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  current  tested  capability  of  4-5  tonnes  is  way lesser than China and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  intends  to  take  any  initiatives  to upgrade the launch capability and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the research, development and innovation centres in the country are well funded and staffed and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether Indian  private  players  are  working  and  collaborating with the Government and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) India has the Launch Vehicle system with a capability to put 4  -  ton  class  of  satellites  to  GTO,  whereby  meeting  all  the

national  requirements.  Even  with  such  capabilities  PSLV  is able  to  offer  spare  capacity  to  commercial  launches  on  a regular basis. While other countries have higher launch capabilities,  ISRO  is  making  its  own  plans  to  increase  its launch  vehicle  capabilities,  even  upto  16  ton  to  GTO  in  the future.

- (b) Presently, India  has  three  launch  vehicles,  namely,  Polar Satellite  Launch  Vehicle  (PSLV)  with  a  launch  capability  of 1.75 Ton to 600 km sun synchronous polar orbit, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with a launch capability of 2.2 Ton to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle - Mark III with a launch  capability  of  4  Ton  to  Geosynchronous  Transfer  Orbit (GTO). The maximum launch capability to GTO of other space agencies are: - USA: 14 Ton, China: 13 Ton, Europe: 10.5 Ton, Russia: 6.25Ton, and Japan: 8 Ton. Recently, SpaceX, a private company in USA, has demonstrated the launch of a heavy lift launch  vehicle,  Falcon  Heavy,  which  can  carry  26.7  Ton  to GTO.
- (c) Yes, Madam. China has a maximum launch capability of 13 Ton to GTO.
- (d) The  Government  has  already  undertaken  the  development  of Semi-cryogenic  engine  and  intends  to  initiate  development activities for Semi-cryogenic stage and the clustering of Semicryogenic engines in order to upgrade the launch capability.
- (e) 10,783 Cr.

ISRO  being  a  research  organisation,  effectively  deals  with research, development and innovation as part of its activities. The funds and manpower allocated to DoS/ISRO is sufficient to carry  out  its  current  programs/projects.  The  total  sanctioned manpower  is  18095  and  budget  allocation  for  2018-19  is `

(f) ISRO  effectively  utilises  the  industries  in  realising  launch vehicle hardware and fabrication of other sub systems, currently. This has enabled to realise majority of manufacturing  requirement  of  launch  vehicles  and  satellites through Indian Industries. ISRO also envisages to have greater involvement of industries in the launch vehicle set up through joint venture initiatives in the future.

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