Excelsior Correspondent
New Delhi, Feb 25: In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India is ready to launch the 4th IRNSS (Independent Regional Navigation Satellite System) “landmark” satellite on March 9, which will be a milestone on several accounts — first, with the launching of this satellite, the 7-series IRNSS will become operational, catering to the increasing communication requirements not only of India but also those of the neighbouring countries which fall within the service area of this satellite series.
Another significance of this satellite series is that it is purely indigenously developed and thus possibly the most striking example of the “Make In India” concept.
When a Member from the Opposition interrupted to point out that the space launching of Aryabhatta was done in 1975 during the Congress regime and therefore all the credit cannot be taken by the present Government, Dr Jitendra Singh replied, amidst thumping of desks from both sides, “I totally endorse the view that if 1975 had not happened, 2015 would have also not happened. But, I hope you will be generous enough to give the present Government some credit for having carried forward India’s space programme with the kind of enthusiasm and speed that it deserved, as a result of which the world today looks up to us with awe and envy.”
Dr Jitendra Singh said, even as India aspires to be a world power in the next few years, he has the confidence to say that, at least in the field of space technology, we are already a world leader. To testify this, he informed the House that India has started providing launching facility for commercial satellites from the most advanced countries like France which not only adds to our revenue and income but also testifies the faith that world’s most scientifically advanced nations have developed in India’s space technology as a result of our continuous, untiring efforts during the last seven to eight months.
Referring to Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Dr Jitendra Singh said, within a short span of few months, not only the MOM has given India a strategic advantage over other countries but it has also established before the world, India’s supremacy in space technology.
Dr Jitendra Singh further informed the House that currently there are 27 Indian satellites operating in the space of which 11 are Communication satellites and 3 are Navigation satellites. In the 12th Five Year Plan, 14 communication satellites are planned to be released, he added.
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