Dec 16: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, ISRO has signed six agreements with four countries for launching foreign satellitesduring 2021-2023.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, DrJitendra Singh informed that about 132 Million Euros would be earned through launching of these foreign satellites on a commercial basis.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) through its commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL), a Govt. of India company under Department of Space (DOS), has been launching satellites belonging to other countries on-board Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), on a commercial basis.
NSIL as on date has signed six Launch Service Agreements with customers from four countries for launching foreign satellites into space on-board PSLV during 2021-2023.
A total number of 124 indigenous satellites have been put into Earth’s orbit including 12 student satellites.
In another written reply to a similar question in the Rajya Sabha today, DrJitendra Singh informed that starting from 1999 till date, a total of 342 foreign satellites belonging to 34 countries have been successfully launched on board Indian Polar satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on a commercial basis.
The Minister said that through launching of foreign satellites on-board Indian launch vehicle, India has earned a Foreign Exchange revenue of approx. 35 Million USD and 10 Million Euros during last 3 years (i.e., 2019- 2021).The type of foreign satellites that were launched through Indian Launch Vehicle includes satellites primarily for Earth Observation, Scientific and Technology demonstration purposes.
Country wise breakup of the number of satellites that were launched is indicated below:
| Sl. No | Country Name | No. of Satellites Launched | Sl. No. | Country Name | No. of Satellites Launched | |
| 1. | Algeria | 4 | 18. | Japan | 5 | |
| 2. | Argentina | 1 | 19. | Kazakhstan | 1 | |
| 3. | Australia | 1 | 20. | Latvia | 1 | |
| 4. | Austria | 3 | 21. | Lithuania | 4 | |
| 5. | Belgium | 4 | 22. | Luxembourg | 5 | |
| 6. | Brazil | 1 | 23. | Malaysia | 1 | |
| 7. | Canada | 12 | 24. | Netherlands | 3 | |
| 8. | Chile | 1 | 25. | Norway | 1 | |
| 9. | Colombia | 1 | 26. | Republic of Korea | 6 | |
| 10. | Czech Republic | 1 | 27 | Singapore | 8 | |
| 11. | Denmark | 2 | 28. | Slovakia | 1 | |
| 12. | Finland | 3 | 29. | Spain | 2 | |
| 13. | France | 4 | 30. | Switzerland | 4 | |
| 14. | Germany | 11 | 31. | Turkey | 1 | |
| 15. | Indonesia | 3 | 32. | UAE | 1 | |
| 16. | Israel | 3 | 33. | United Kingdom | 12 | |
| 17. | Italy | 5 | 34. | USA | 226 |
