Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Indian space scientists are designing a new genre of rockets and their variants to host heavy satellites into space;

(b) if so, the complete details in this regard;

(c) whether Indian Space Research Organisation would also test air-breathing technology using a scramjet fitted on sounding rocket; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Indian Space Research Organisation has taken up design and development of a new generation rocket named Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle-Mark-III (GSLV-MkIII), with capability to launch 4 tonne class communication satellites into geo-stationary transfer orbit.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) As a part of the advanced technology initiative, in the area of Air-Breathing technology, ISRO has successfully conducted the flight testing of its advanced high performance sounding rocket, fitted with passive scramjet engine combustor module. It is planned to carry out, the flight testing of the active scramjet engine combustor module, fitted to the sounding rocket during 2012-13.

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