**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and in the Prime Minister's Office to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2930, concerning major space missions by ISRO, scheduled to be answered on December 17, 2025. The document provides details on ISRO's satellite launches in the last five years, delays in major missions, the status of the human spaceflight program, and government efforts to enhance indigenous space capabilities. The Government plans to increase the budget allocation for critical space infrastructure and R&D projects.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Satellite Launches (2020-2025):**
* 22 ISRO satellites were launched.
* 7 were Earth Observation, 4 were communication, 2 were navigation, 3 were space science and 6 were technology demonstration missions.
* **Mission Delays/Cost Overruns:**
* No cost overruns occurred for Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 projects.
* Chandrayaan-3 had a time overrun of 28 months due to reconfiguration of systems, the Chandrayaan-2 Failure Analysis Committee's suggestions, the COVID-19 Pandemic, new special tests, and new sensor development.
* Aditya-L1 had a time overrun of 46 months due to a change in scope, changing orbit from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Lagrangian Point (L1), requiring changes in satellite configuration, longer payload development cycles, and procurement of long lead items.
* **Gaganyaan Programme:**
* Aims to demonstrate indigenous human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
* Officially sanctioned in January 2019.
* Initially planned two uncrewed missions and one crewed mission.
* Original budget approval: ₹9,023 Crore, targeted launch in May 2022.
* Revised in October 2024 to eight missions, including an additional uncrewed mission (G1) and four precursor missions for Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
* Revised budget provision: ₹20,193Crore.
* Target for the first crewed mission is 2027-28.
* **Enhancing Space Capabilities:**
* India has achieved self-reliance in space transportation, launching satellites up to 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 4.2 tons to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
* Government approved the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) with a maximum payload capability of 30 tons to LEO.
* Reusable launch vehicle technologies, including a partially reusable variant of NGLV, are being developed.
* Development of more powerful propulsion systems, including a high-thrust semi-cryogenic engine and a Methane based propulsion system, is underway.
* **Budget Allocation and Future Plans:**
* The Government proposes to increase budget allocation for critical space infrastructure and R&D projects.
* Space Vision 2047 targets the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and landing an Indian on the Moon by 2040.
* Government approved five key R&D intensive projects including Gaganyaan follow-on mission, Chandrayaan follow-on missions, Venus Orbiter Mission and the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle.
* Government approved two more launch pads.
**Impact Analysis**
**ISRO and Department of Space:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the missions and projects outlined in the document, aligning with the government's vision for space exploration and technology development.
* **Action Required:** Execute the approved R&D projects, continue developing advanced technologies, prepare for Gaganyaan follow-on missions, Chandrayaan follow-on missions, Venus Orbiter Mission and the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle, and establish the infrastructure for future space endeavors.
**Government of India:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing policy support, budget allocation, and approvals for ISRO's space missions and related activities.
* **Action Required:** Allocate increased budget for critical space infrastructure and R&D, and oversee the progress of the approved projects and initiatives.
**General Public:**
* **Impact:** The space missions and technological advancements will enhance the country's capabilities in communication, navigation, earth observation, and space exploration, and result in progress in science and technology and its potential applications for societal benefit.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the advancements and potential benefits derived from the Indian Space Programme.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's primary space agency, responsible for satellite launches and space missions.
Gaganyaan Programme: India's human spaceflight programme to demonstrate indigenous human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Chandrayaan: Indian lunar exploration program.
Aditya-L1: A solar mission to study the Sun from a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system.
Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): A planned launch vehicle to enhance space access capabilities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2930
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER, 2025
MAJOR SPACE MISSION BY ISRO
2930. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) the details of numbers of satellite launches by Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) during the last five years
including successful and failed missions;
(b) whether any delays or cost overruns have been recorded in
major space missions such as Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan,
Aditya-L1 follow-up missions and PSLV/GSLV launch
programmes and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the current status of India's human spaceflight programme and
the timelines fixed for crewed missions;
(d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to strengthen
indigenous capabilities in satellite manufacturing, launch
vehicle technology, space research and deep-space
exploration; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to increase budget
allocation for critical space infrastructure and Research and
Development (R&D) and if so, the details thereof?ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC
GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
****
(a) During the last 5 years (December 2020 to December 2025), 22
ISRO satellites have been launched. Out of which 7 are Earth
Observation, 4 are communication, 2 are navigation, 3 are space
science and 6 are technology demonstration missions. The details
of the launches are attached in Annexure-1.
(b) There has been no cost overrun in Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-
L1 satellite projects. However, there has been time overrun of 28
and 46 months respectively for Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1
satellites, mainly due to the following reasons:
Aditya-L1: Time overrun in the project is due to change in the scope,
change in orbit from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Lagrangian Point (L1)
calling for changes in the satellite configuration, longer cycle for
the payload development and procurement of long lead items.
Chandrayaan-3: Time overrun is due to reconfiguration of systems to
incorporate suggested by Chandrayaan-2 Failure Analysis
Committee, COVID-19 Pandemic, Conduct of New Special Test and
New Sensor development.
Gaganyaan Programme aims to demonstrate indigenous human
spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The programme was
officially sanctioned by the Government of India in January 2019
with a mandate to undertake two uncrewed mission in identicalconfiguration and one crewed mission with total budget approval of
₹9,023 Crore with target schedule of crewed mission launch in May
2022.
Recently in October 2024, the scope of Gaganyaan programme was
revised from three to eight mission including additional uncrewed
mission (G1) and also four precursor missions for Bharatiya
Antariksh Station (BAS) with total revised budget provision of
₹20,193Crore. The activities as per revised approval is in progress
with target of first Crewed mission in year 2027-28.
(c) For the Gaganyaan programme, ISRO is developing and
realising various systems for accomplishing the planned missions.
Considering the stringent human rating requirements, extensive
testing of propulsion elements, structures of Human-Rated Launch
Vehicle (HLVM3), Service Module Propulsion System and Crew
Module Propulsion System, parachute-based deceleration system
has been completed. The critical Crew Escape System motors have
also been developed and static tests have been completed. In
parallel, development of indigenous Environmental Control and Life
Support Systems is in progress.
Major infrastructure such as the Orbital Module Preparation Facility,
Gaganyaan Control Centre, Crew training facility have been
established. Second launch pad modifications have been
incorporated. Precursor missions such as TV-D1 and IADT-01 have
been successfully accomplished. Ground tracking networks,
terrestrial links and IDRSS-1 feeder stations have been established.
Crew Module Recovery plan as well as assets to be deployed have
been finalized. For the first uncrewed mission (G1), all HLVM3stages and CES motors are ready. Crew and Service Module
systems have been realized. Assembly and integration activities are
nearing completion. The first crewed mission is targeted in 2027-28.
(d) India has achieved self-reliance in space transportation
systems to launch satellites up to 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
and 4.2 tons to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) through the
currently operational PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 launch vehicles. These
launch vehicles have enabled independent space access to
satellites for earth observation, communication, navigation and
space exploration. In order to enhance the launch vehicle
capabilities towards meeting the expanded space vision,
Government has approved the development of a Next Generation
Launch Vehicle (NGLV) which will provide a maximum payload
capability of 30 tons to Low Earth Orbit. Towards achieving low-cost
access to space, reusable launch vehicle technologies are also
being developed including a partially reusable variant of NGLV with
14 tons payload capability to LEO. Another development is of a
winged body upper stage which will fly back from the orbit to the
Earth and autonomously land on a runway.
With regard to development of more powerful and more efficient
propulsion systems, ISRO has undertaken the development of a
high-thrust (2000kN) semi-cryogenic engine for inducting in the
LVM3 vehicle. An environmental friendly Methane based propulsion
system for high-thrust engine is also being conceptualized for the
Next Generation Launch Vehicle, ensuring technology readiness for
the launch vehicle for the proposed Crewed Moon Mission. Apartfrom these, development of an air-breathing propulsion system is
underway towards a Duel-Fuel Scramjet engine.
(e) Yes, Sir. The Government proposes to increase budget
allocation for critical space infrastructure and R&D projects of the
Department of Space. The Space Vision 2047 of the Government
targets establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035
and landing of an Indian on Moon by 2040. Towards this,
Government has approved five key R&D intensive projects: the
Gaganyaan follow-on mission; the Chandrayaan follow-on missions
including Chandrayaan-4 Lunar Sample Return Mission and the
Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX mission; the Venus Orbiter Mission; and the
development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle. As part of the
expansion of ground infrastructure for achieving the Space Vision,
Government has approved two more launch pads – one at
Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu and a Third Launch Pad for the
next generation of Launch Vehicles.
****Annexure-1
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 2930 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
List of satellites launched during last 5 years
Launch
Sl. No Satellite Launch Date Status
Vehicle
1. CMS-01 17-12-2020 PSLV-C50 Operational
2. EOS-03 (GISAT-1) 08-12-2021 GSLV-F10 Launch unsuccessful
3. EOS-04(RISAT-1A) 14-02-2022 PSLV-C52 Operational
4. INS-2TD 14-02-2022 PSLV-C52 Not Operational
Ariane-
5. GSAT-24 24-06-2022 Operational
V(VS257)
6. EOS-02 (Microsat- 08-07-2022 SSLV-D1 Launch unsuccessful
2A)
7. EOS-06 (OS-3) 26-11-2022 PSLV-C54 Operational
8. INDIA-BHUTAN SAT 26-11-2022 PSLV-C54 Operational
9. Aditya-L1 09-02-2023 PSLV-C57 Operational
Operational for PNT
10. NVS-01 29-05-2023 GSLV-F12
service
11. Chandrayaan-3 14-07-2023 LVM3 M4 Not Operational
12. EOS-07 (Microsat- 02-10-2023 SSLV-D2 Operational
2B)
13. XPoSat 01.01.2024 PSLV-C58 Operational
14. INSAT-3DS 18-02-2024 GSLV-F14 Operational
15. EOS-08 ( Microsat- 16-08-2024 SSLV-D3 Operational
2C)
16. GSAT-N2 19-11-2024 Falcon-9 OperationalLaunch
Sl. No Satellite Launch Date Status
Vehicle
17. SPADEX-A 30-12-2024 PSLV C60 Operational
18. SPADEX-B 30-12-2024 PSLV C60 Operational
19. NVS-02 29-01-2025 GSLV-F15 Not operational
20. CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) 11-02-2025 LVM3-M5 Being Operationalized
21. RISAT-1B 18-05-2025 PSLV-C61 Launch unsuccessful
22. NISAR 30-07-2025 GSLV-F16 Operational
***