NEW DELHI, Feb 10: India has launched 328 satellites of 33 different countries so far, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
He said the Department of Space had been involved in launching satellites of foreign countries since long and had so far earned revenue of 25 million dollars and 89 million Euros. He said the government had established NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a PSU under Department of Space to commercially launch satellites and become financially self-reliant.
ISRO is striving towards achieving Atmanirbharta in the field of capacity development in launching satellites; therefore, no policy is envisaged for seeking foreign cooperation in this direction.
In another related question, Singh said ISRO facilities were being extended to Indian industries and academia for testing their space systems. Satellites from M/s. Space Kidz India and M/s. Syzygy Space Technologies have undergone testing at UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO. He said, participation of private sector in space activities in India was expected to result in development of cutting edge Technologies, new applications & services. Overall it would make a bigger impact on space economy, he added.
The Minister said that Government has analysed the issues and concerns about national security while allowing Private companies to participate in space activities and appropriate measures have been taken by means of establishing Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe), an independent nodal agency to authorize, monitor and regulate space activities in the country.
(Manas Dasgupta)