Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that 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, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, from January 2018 to November 2022, ISRO successfully launched 177 foreign satellites belonging to countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, and France.
Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the USA, onboard PSLV and GSLV-MkIII launchers under the commercial agreement.
Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that Forex generated through the launching of these 177 foreign satellites from January 2018 to November 2022 is approximately 94 million USD and 46 million Euro.
On the subject of Space Reforms, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, far-reaching reforms in the sector were announced in June 2020 to enhance the participation of Non-Government Entities [NGEs] in the sector and bring in a commerce-oriented approach to space activities – all steps towards enhancing the nation’s share in the global space economy.
Over the last five years, the Government has taken several steps to strengthen the space program and take it to greater heights.
Significant progress has been made in the development and realization of space systems catering to earth observation, satellite communication, and space science.
Multiple successful flights of operational launch vehicles, along with the development, realization, and testing of major technology elements of future launch vehicles, were seen during this period.
Moreover, the creation of IN-SPACe as a single-window agency for the promotion of end-to-end space activities has resulted in the registration of 111 startups related to space research.