Lok Sabha Question No. 2013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Space Station
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2013

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 03, 2019

## SPACE STATION

2013.   SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of countries which have their own space station at present;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  its  own  space station within next seven years and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  budget  estimates  for  this  purpose  and  whether  the  same has been approved by the Government;
- (d) whether  any  collaboration  with  foreign  countries  is  proposed for this purpose and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of benefits likely to be derived from the said space station;
- (f) whether  this  project  will  be  an  extension  of  the  'Gaganyaan' programme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the  extent  to  which  'Make  in  India'  initiative  is  likely  to contribute to this project?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Currently, the operational Space station is International Space Station (ISS) orbiting at an altitude of 400 km. ISS is operated by  five  space  agencies  and  they  are  NASA  (United  States), Roscosmos  (Russia),  CSA  (Canada),  JAXA  (Japan)  and  ESA (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom).
- Space  station  is  an  integral  element  of  human  spaceflight programme as they allow sustained human presence in space to carry out meaningful research. India's plan of space station is  a  long  term  plan  after  successful  operationalization  of
- (b) Gaganyaan.
- (c)
- The program is at a very nascent stage.
- (d)
- Foreign collaborations are not yet finalised.
- (e) The space station will provide a research platform that cannot be matched on earth. The expected benefits are likely in the areas  of  human  health,  telemedicine,  vaccine  development, material development, disaster relief, efficient farming techniques, food and water conservation, waste management techniques, environmental research and education programmes that inspire the youth.

(f) Yes Sir, Space Station is an extension of Gaganyaan program. Technologies like Human rated version of GSLV Mk-III, orbital module  to  ferry  crew,  life  support  system  etc,  developed  for Gaganyaan will be used for space station program. The space station  design  will  be  modular  with  initial  modules  weighing approximately  20  tons  and  will  have  provision  for  extended stay for 3 crew members. (g) As in Gaganyaan programme where more than 650 industries are  participating  to  realize  the  flight  and  ground  systems, 'Make in India' initiative will be a major driver for the success of space station programme  in realization of materials, avionics,  fabrication,  testing  as  well  as  integration  of  flight systems.

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