Six PSLVs, three GSLVs and Gaganyaan programme part of ISRO's roadmap for 2024

The Department of Space has planned six PSLV (polar satellite launch vehicle) missions in 2024, including two missions to launch a space science satellite and an Earth observation satellite, two technology demonstration missions and two commercial missions by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), minister of state for space Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Three GSLV (geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle) missions to launch a meteorology satellite, a navigation satellite and a joint NASA-ISRO synthetic aperture radar satellite have also been planned for next year, the minister said in response to a question in the upper house of Parliament.

One LVM3 commercial mission by NSIL and two unmanned missions under the Gaganyaan programme to validate the human rated launch vehicle and the orbital module in actual flight have also been planned next year.


In addition, multiple sub-orbital missions using a test vehicle have also been planned to validate the Gaganyaan Crew Escape System under various abort conditions. One mission of SSLV, which is the third developmental flight that will also launch a technology demonstration satellite, has also been planned.

Two autonomous runway landing experiments of winged body reusable launch vehicle (RLV) and a GSAT 20 communication satellite mission by NSIL, through a procured launch under a commercial contract, has also been planned.

Space startups

A total of 523 startups and companies have provided their capabilities on IN-SPACe digital platform for the space sector, as of November, out of which 297 have submitted applications to IN-SPACe, seeking support from ISRO for research and development and testing, according to Singh.

With the opening up of the space sector for the private sector, the investment in India’s space startups has increased to $124.7 million, Singh said.