Lok Sabha Question No. 1503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1503

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2024

## NASA-ISRO SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR MISSION

## 1503.  ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  reasons  for  delay  in  launching  NASA-ISRO  Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission;
- (b) the challenges faced by the Government in development and timely execution of India's space exploration mission particularly those related to technological advancement, financial constraints and international cooperation;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to enhance satellite manufacturing,  propulsion  systems  and  space  exploration capabilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) especially  keeping  in  view  recent  emphasis  being  given  on establishing leading space companies in the country; and
- (d) the initiatives put in place to encourage  private sector participation in India's Space Sector including policy reforms, financial incentives or partnerships aimed at fostering innovation and competition?

## ANSWER GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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- (a) NASA-ISRO  Synthetic  Aperture  RADAR  (NISAR)  is  an  Earth science  mission  being  jointly  developed  by  NASA  and  ISRO under a collaborative agreement.

The  NISAR  was  earlier  slated  for  launch  in  the  first-half  of 2024.  However,  during  the  assembly,  integration  &  testing phase,  NASA  experts  determined  that  the  12-meter  Radar Antenna Reflector need some corrective actions and has to be taken to USA for rectification.

Subsequently, the Radar Antenna Reflector, was delivered to ISRO by NASA in October 2024, which is re-integrated with the satellite  and  currently  undergoing  necessary  tests.  Also,  due to  the  eclipse  season,  the  conditions  are  not  conducive  for deployment of NISAR's boom and the Radar Antenna Reflector. In view of the afore-mentioned factors, NISAR is now likely to be launched during March 2025.

- (b) Space exploration  missions  requires  indigenous  development of several complex  technologies. Such developments go through an exhaustive time cycle that includes conceptualisation, design, development of prototype, qualification  and  flight  model  and  numerous  tests,  design

iterations,  supply  chain,  extensive  reviews.  Challenges  in geo-political objectives, alignment  with  respective  national  priorities  and  ensuring

International collaborations include considerations, establishing common mission timely availability of resources/infrastructure.

- (c) The department is actively enhancing the capabilities through various Technology development and advanced R&D programs. The  programs  include  development  of  propulsion  systems  of various  thrust  capabilities,  sensor  technologies,  advanced docking systems, enhancing Launch vehicle capabilities such as stage recovery, satellite navigation, quantum communication related technologies, optical satellite systems etc.

The government has recently approved the Chandrayaan-4 and Venus  Orbiter  Mission  that  would  further  the  capabilities  in various  elements  of  satellite  realisation.  The  Chandrayaan-4 mission envisages extraction and return of lunar sample back to Earth. The Venus Orbiter Mission aims to successfully orbit and subsurface,  atmospheric  processes  and  influence  of  Sun  on

Venus and better understand the Venusian surface Venusian atmosphere.

Further,  realisation  of  various  satellite  systems/sub  systems Indian and integration are being outsourced to various industries.

- (d) The Government has taken following measures to encourage and incentivise private sector participation in space exploration and technology development in India:
- I. The space sector has been liberalised and private sector allowed  to  carry  out  end  to  end  space  activities.  INSPACe was created in Department of Space for promoting,  authorising  and  overseeing  the  activities  of Non-Government  Entities  (NGEs)  in  Space  Sector.  The Indian  Space  Policy-2023  has  been  formulated  by  the Government  to  provide  regulatory  certainty  to  space activities
- II. Various  schemes  to  encourage  and  hand  hold  private sector  also  announced  and  implemented  by  IN-SPACe, i.e. Seed fund Scheme, Pricing Support Policy, Mentorship  Support,  Technical  Centre,  Design  Lab  for NGEs, Skill Development in Space Sector, ISRO Facility Utilisation Support, Technology Transfer to NGEs, Creation of IN-SPACe Digital Platform to connect with all the stakeholders of space ecosystem etc.
- III. In order to ease access to foreign capital by Indian NGEs, Government of India has brought out revised FDI policy for Space Sector.
- IV. The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Rs.1,000/crore Venture Capital Fund dedicated to supporting India's Space Sector.

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