Dr Jitendra informs Rajya Sabha about Indian Moon landing by 2040
Dec 12, 2024
NEW DELHI: "An Indian will land on the Moon by 2047". This was announced by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister stated that the Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been making significant efforts towards achieving the goals outlined in India's Space Vision 2047. These efforts focus on technological advancements, international partnerships, increasing the participation of private players and advancing space exploration missions.
The Government of India has carried out Space sector reforms in 2020 to allow participation of the Indian private sector in space activities, informed Dr Jitendra Singh. As a part of these reforms, the Government has delineated the roles of various entities viz., IN-SPACe, ISRO and NSIL, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh's reply further stated that India has announced the Space Vision 2047 which targets establishing Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and landing of an Indian on Moon by 2040. Towards this, Government has approved four important projects i.e. (a) Gaganyaan follow-on missions and establishment of BAS 1st module by 2028 (b) Development of Next Generation Satellite Launch Vehicle (NGLV) (Re-Usable Low-cost Launch Vehicle) by 2032 (c) Chandrayaan-4 by 2027, to develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to Earth after successfully landing on the Moon and also collect moon samples, and (d) Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) by 2028, to study the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of Sun on Venusian Atmosphere
The Department of Space, stated the Minister, has formulated a roadmap for space science exploration missions, integrating multiple domains of developments, towards realizing the goal of Space Vision 2047. Following are the major milestones of the roadmap: • Launch of 1st module Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2028, • Establishment of full BAS by 2035 • Indian Moon landing by 2040
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that the department has obtained approvals from the Government for four new projects as mentioned below: a. Gaganyaan follow-on missions and establishment of 1st module of Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2028, b. Development of Next Generation Satellite Launch Vehicle (NGLV) (Re-Usable Low-cost Launch Vehicle) by 2032, c. Chandrayaan-4 by 2027, to develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to Earth after successfully landing on the Moon and also collect moon samples, and d. Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) by 2028, to study the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of Sun on Venusian Atmosphere
The Government had released the Indian Space Policy, 2023 that provides a level playing field to Non-Government Entities [NGEs] in the space sector by enabling their participation across the entire value chain of space activities in an end-to-end manner.
Further, an amendment was made to the Foreign Direct Investment policy for the Space sector, enabling a higher threshold of foreign investments in various space domains.
In line with fostering the space start-ups, the government has also approved setting up of Rs.1000 crore Venture Capital Fund dedicated to the Space sector, under the aegis of IN-SPACe for the coming five years.
