ISRO space capsule with two-member crew by 2015

The Indian government plans has earmarked Rs 289 billion for scientific research and development in 2009, a 19 per cent hike over spends in 2008.Of the total amount, Rs 71.7 billion would be spent on atomic energy, Rs 49.6 billion on the space program, and Rs 47.6 billion on defense research.

The government also plans to launch eight national missions to fight climate changes and global warming.

The space budget would take care of the development of semi-cryogenic rocket engines and the launch of a space capsule, with a crew capacity of two, by 2015.

Funds will also be channeled into setting up a Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System along the lines of the US GPS (Global Positioning System).

The allocated amount for the space budget was Rs 35 billion in 2008. In 2009, the amount has gone up by 40 per cent.

However officials at government scientific departments agreed that the economic slow down has not taken a toll on their projects but they have not witnessed a substantial increase in their budget as compared to the previous years.

“Allocations for us had been increasing by 30% each year, but this year it is only 20 percent,” said Thirumalachari Ramasami, secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

The budget presented on July 6, 2009, presented an increment of 50% for the funds for Earth sciences.

A provision of Rs 5.48 billion has been made for oceanographic research, which includes setting up of a third Indian station in Antarctica and purchase of research vessels as a part of the project.

The government of India also aims to attract more students to the field of science and has provided interest-free loans for students pursuing study courses in technical institutes.

A sum of Rs 5.4 billion has been allocated for National Knowledge Network of gigabit bandwidth in order to connect educational institutions across India.

Meanwhile, the Planning Commission has supported ISRO’s plans to launch its first astronauts into space, in 2015.

ISRO will first launch an unmanned flight into space by 2014, followed by manned mission in 2015.