ISRO Launches 177 Foreign Satellites From 19 Countries In Last Five Years

ISRO through its commercial arms has successfully launched 177 foreign satellites belonging to 19 countries during the last five years.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Jitendra Singh said that ISRO has launched 177 foreign satellites belonging to countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and the US, onboard PSLV and GSLV-MkIII launchers under a commercial agreement from January 2018 to November 2022.

Singh said that Forex generated through the launching is approximately 94 million USD.

On the subject of Space Reforms, he said that far-reaching reforms in the sector were announced in June 2020, with an intent to enhance the participation of non-government entities (NGEs) in the industry and bring in a commerce-oriented approach to space activities – all steps towards enhancing the nation’s share in the global space economy.

The result of these reforms was reflected in 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 – Skyroot Aerospace – which was the first such instance, according to the statement.

Moreover, the creation of IN-SPACe as a single-window agency for the promotion and handholding of NGE in conducting end-to-end space activities has resulted in a remarkable interest in the start-up community, with 111 space startups registered, as of date, in the IN-SPACe digital platform.

Over the last five years, the statement said that the government has taken several steps to strengthen the space program and take it to greater heights. Significant progress has been made in developing and realising space systems catering to earth observation, satellite communication and space science.

The statement said that multiple successful flights of operational launch vehicles, along with the development, realisation and testing of major technology elements of future launch vehicles, were seen during this period.