Cabinet clears Rs10,469 cr expenditure on Isro’s ongoing programmes
09 Jun 2018
The union cabinet on Wednesday approved an expenditure of Rs10.469 crore for ongoing programmes of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), including satellite launches and for meeting Earth observation, navigation and other requirements to ensure continuity of production in Indian industry.
Isro’s major programmes include development and deployment of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (Phase-6) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III) continuation programme (Phase-I).
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) (Phase 6) has 30 PSLV operational flights under the programme. The programme will also meet the launch requirement of satellites for Earth observation, navigation and space sciences.
This will also ensure continuity of production in Indian industry.
The total fund requirement is estimated at Rs6,131.00 crore, which includes the cost of 30 PSLV vehicles, essential facility augmentation, programme management and launch campaign.
The PSLV continuation programme is intended to sustain the country's self-reliance and launching capability of satellites for earth observation, disaster management, navigation and space sciences and in the launching of similar satellites for national requirements.
The PSLV Continuation Programme – Phase 6 will meet the demand for the launch of satellites at a frequency up to eight launches per year, with maximal participation by the Indian industry. All the operational flights would be completed during the period 2019-2024.
PSLV continuation programme, initially sanctioned in 2008, has completed four phases and the fifth phase is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2019-20.
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III) continuation programme (Phase-I) consists of 10 GSLV (Mk-III) flights, with an estimated total cost of Rs4,338.20 crore. This includes the cost of ten GSLV Mk-III vehicles, essential facility augmentation, programme management and launch campaign.
The GSLV Mk-III continuation Programme – Phase 1 is the first phase of operational flights that will enable the launch of 4 tonne class of communication satellites to meet the country’s satellite communication requirements.
The GSLV Mk-III continuation programme – Phase 1 will meet the launch requirement of communication satellites to meet the national demand for high throughput satellites for rural broadband connectivity, increase and sustain the availability of transponders for DTH, VSAT and television broadcasters.
GSLV Mk-III continuation programme – Phase 1 will be the first phase of operational flights of the GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle and the approval will cater to the launch of satellite missions during the period 2019-2024.