The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has carried out Pad Abort Test successfully to qualify Crew Escape System required for Human Spaceflight, on 5th July 2018 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

As part of the activities for development of critical technologies for future Human Spaceflight, Pad Abort Test was carried out to demonstrate the Crew Escape System during any exigency at launch pad. The Crew Escape System is configured using specially designed quick acting solid motors that deliver a relatively large thrust to take the crew module to a safe distance. Experimental data from this mission will serve as a useful input to undertake human spaceflight programme. An amount of Rs.173.00 crores is approved for development of critical technologies including Crew Escape System.

The clients using ISRO’s commercial products and services include strategic customers, Government of India/PSUs, private users and international customers. The revenue generated during the last three years is as follows:

               2015-2016: Rs 1794.93Crores

               2016-2017: Rs 1872.93Crores

               2017-2018: Rs 1932.27Crores

The total amount allocated, disbursed and spent by ISRO for its projects/ programmes in the areas of Space Transportation Systems, Earth Observation, Satellite Communication & Navigation, Space Science and Planetary Exploration during last three years i.e. 2015-16, 2016-17 & 2017-18 are given below:

(Rupees in Crore)

(i)         Antrix Corporation Limited (ANTRIX), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation, is marketing the Satellite Capacity on the Indian Communication Satellites bringing   revenue to the Department of Space.

(ii)        ANTRIX is marketing products and services from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) program and also offers TTC services to international customers.

(iii)       Launch Services is also an important business earning valuable Foreign Exchange. We have launched 237 satellites from 29 countries till date.

(iv)       ANTRIX takes part in the major International and National Exhibition and portrays the products and services emanating from Indian Space Programme. It includes building and launching of satellites for customers, establishment of Ground Segment, provisioning of wide variety of data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellites, capacity building and consultancy application projects.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.