India signs MOUs for cooperation in area of space with 27 nations

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) The Government today told in the Rajya Sabha that India has signed MOUs/Agreements for cooperation in the area of space with 27 countries and space agencies sofar.

The countries are Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, EUMETSAT, European Space Agency, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, The Russian Federation, Sweden, Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America and Venezuela.

In a written reply in the Upper House, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan informed that the major achievement of India in the field of Space is the self-reliant development of world-class satellites and launch vehicles and utilising the space systems in several areas relevant to national development. India has established two operational space systems viz., INSAT system for satellite communication, broadcasting and meteorology and the Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS) system for natural resources management.

In the area of space science, India has flown a few payloads in the past and now two dedicated science missions - Chandrayan-I and ASTROSAT are getting ready for a launch in the next two years, he said.

On outsourcing of satellite building services, Mr Chavan replied that it is ISRO's policy to outsource repetitive and routine fabrication of satellite and launch vehicle systems to qualified industries after building adequate safeguards in the contracts.

The present demand of 3 to 4 satellites per year is being satisfactorily met from the industries as well as in-house capacity.

The minister said the main objective of outsourcing the repetitive and routine fabrication activities to industry is to enable ISRO concentrate on research and development.

The sensitive technologies are still kept within ISRO.

Regarding manned mission to space, Mr Chavan said ISRO has carried out detailed study on the feasibility of undertaking indigenous manned space mission to low earth orbit, in about 8 to 10 years.

Towards this, studies covering various aspects of design and development of manned capsule, man rating of launch vehicle, safety and reliability, crew training and critical long term facilities were presented to a gathering of prominent Scientists and Technologists.

The scientists have recommended the Indian manned mission initiative, he said and added that no detailed study has been carried out on manned mission to moon.

The detailed cost estimate for the manned space mission is not made, however, the preliminary assessment is that the programme for the manned space mission to low earth orbit may need about Rs 10,000 crore spread over a period of nearly 8 to 10 years.

UNI BBS YA DS1540