Months after the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) flagged serious concerns over the shortage of funds for projects of national importance, the Narendra Modi-led government decided to release over $1.6 billion to the space agency. This would enable the agency to launch 30 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and 10 Geostationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark III rockets in the next four years.

The funds will enable the organization to implement advanced actions for the procurement of materials and renewal of fabrication contracts with other industries, which were on hold, as the Finance Ministry, in February this year, had allocated only 65 percent of the projected budget.

"With the Cabinet approval of Rs $652 million (INR 4338 crore) for 10 launches of 10 GSLV Mk III in the next four years, we will be able to launch heavier satellites weighing around 4 tons. This will be a big leap forward as we don't have to depend on foreign spaceports for launching heavier satellites," Jitendra Singh, a junior minister in the prime minister's office, said.

With this program, the ISRO will be able to launch not only mini satellites of foreign countries but also foreign satellites exceeding 4 tons, Singh added.

Sources told Sputnik that the ISRO had completed the developmental phase of the GSLV Mk III project, capable of launching satellites into orbit; and with the approval of the additional funding, it envisages starting the operational phase of the program, encompassing 10 GSLV Mk III flights during 2018-19.

"The fund was much needed for the program. The ISRO will spend around $120 million for this year to initiate the advanced actions," a source told Sputnik.

India's PSLVs have made it self-reliant in the launching of satellites for Earth observations, disaster management, navigation and space sciences.

"The PSLV Continuation Program - 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," the Department of Space said in a statement.

The PSLV continuation program was initially sanctioned in 2008. Four phases of the program have been completed and the fifth phase is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2019-20. Thereafter, the sixth phase, which is yet to be approved, will cater to the launch of satellite missions between the third quarter of 2019-20 and the first quarter of 2023-24.

With the recent successful launch of PSLV-C41 on April 12, 2018, the PSLVs have completed three developmental and 43 operational flights of which the last forty one have been successful.

Source: Sputnik News

Related Links
ISRO
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Majority of Americans believe it is essential that the US remain a global leader in space
Washington DC (SPX) Jun 07, 2018
Sixty years after the founding of NASA, most Americans say the U.S. should be at the forefront of global leadership in space exploration and believe that - even as private space companies emerge as increasingly important players - NASA's role is still vital for U.S. space exploration. In a national survey of 2,541 U.S. adults conducted March 27-April 9, 2018, roughly seven-in-ten Americans (72%) say it is essential for the U.S. to continue to be a world leader in space exploration. Strong pu ... read more