The biggest cut is for space technology under ‘Central Sector Schemes’ of Rs 1,093.84 crore.
The Department of Space expenditure has been reduced by 8% in the Union Budget for 2023-24 to Rs 12,543.91 crore from Rs 13,700 crore in the previous budget estimates. Although this is 19 percent more than the revised estimate of the last financial year.
The biggest cut is for space technology under ‘Central Sector Schemes’ of Rs 1,093.84 crore. This header includes expenditure of various centers of ISRO, including the Human Space Flight Centre, as well as “developmental and operational projects” involving satellites and launch vehicles.
The allocation for the Semi-Conductor Laboratory, an autonomous body, has been reduced from ₹400 crore to nil, as the facility has been moved out from under the Department of Space as part of the India Semiconductor Mission.
In particular, expenditure for space science, including the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) science missions such as Chandrayaan 3, Aditya L1, and its climate and atmospheric programmes, received a modest cut of 32% from the previous budget estimate. .
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Several science missions have already been delayed due to lower manufacturing production and commercial launch commitments due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the unavailability of launch vehicles. In late January, ISRO Chairman S. Somnath said that the Aditya L1 is expected to be launched around July 2023.
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ISRO is expected to achieve 84% human spaceflight capability for its Gaganyaan mission in 2023-24. It is also expected to launch 13 satellites on four PSLV launches, three satellites on two GSLV launches, and one on its new SSLV rocket, with an estimated commercial revenue of ₹331.5 crore.
INSAT satellite system has received an increase of ₹112 crore and is expected to generate revenue of ₹445 crore in 2023-2024 “by providing satcom services”.