Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched 177 foreign satellites belonging to 19 countries during the last five years through its commercial arms, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State Science & Technology, Atomic Energy and Space, said today.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Singh also informed that Forex generated through launching of these 177 foreign satellites from January 2018 to November 2022 is approximately 94 million USD and 46 million Euro.
The Minister of State Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, stated that the satellites that ISRO from January 2018 to November 2022, belonged to countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and USA, on-board PSLV and GSLV-MkIII launchers under commercial agreement.
On the subject of Space Reforms, Dr Singh said that far-reaching reforms in the sector were announced in June 2020, with an intent to enhance participation of Non-Government Entities [NGEs] in the sector and bring in a commerce-oriented approach to space activities.
The result of these reforms was reflected with the heaviest commercial launch by India in the form of LVM3, carrying 36 Oneweb satellites and the recent suborbital launch by an Indian Private entity – M/s Skyroot Aerospace – which was the first such instance, he added.
Moreover, the creation of IN-SPACe as a single-window agency for the promotion and handholding of Non-Government Entities in conducting end-to-end space activities has resulted in a remarkable interest in the Start-up community, with 111 space-startups registered, as on date, on the IN-SPACe digital platform.
The Union Minister also said that over the last five years, significant progress has been made in the development and realization of space systems catering to earth observation, satellite communication and space science.
He added that multiple successful flights of operational launch vehicles, along with development, realization and testing of major technology elements of future launch vehicles, have been seen during this period.
