INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE: ISRO LAUNCHES 397 FOREIGN SATELLITES, EARNS USD 441 MILLION IN 10 YEARS

The Indian Space Research Organisation is the national space agency of India. It operates as the primary research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS), which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister of India while the Chairman of ISRO also acts as the executive of DoS.

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ISRO is primarily responsible for performing tasks related to space-based operations, space exploration, international space cooperation and the development of related technologies. ISRO is one of the six government space agencies in the world that possesses full launch capabilities, can deploy cryogenic engines, can launch extraterrestrial missions and operate a large fleet of artificial satellites. ISRO is one of the four government space agencies to have soft landing (uncrewed) capabilities.

India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has achieved remarkable success in the last decade, particularly in launching foreign satellites and expanding its commercial space missions. According to information disclosed in the Rajya Sabha, the upper chamber of India's Parliament, ISRO has launched 397 foreign satellites over the past ten years, generating an impressive revenue of USD 441 million.

ISRO's commercial endeavours primarily involve the use of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the most frequently used rocket in its fleet. Notably, the PSLV set a record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017. Additionally, ISRO has employed the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) for specific commercial missions.

The SSLV, the newest addition to ISRO's fleet, faced an initial setback during its maiden flight in August 2022. However, it successfully lifted off in February 2023, showcasing India's capability to deploy diverse rockets for commercial purposes.