ISRO earns Rs 230 crore through commercial satellite launches

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) earned a revenues of approximately Rs 230 crore during 2015-16 through the commercial launch services organisation Antrix Corporation Ltd. This is about 0.6% of the global launch services market.

According to the published reports available in the public domain on the international satellite market, the average annual revenue of over the last three years is approximately $200 billion (Rs 13 lakh crore).

This includes Rs 37,000 crore for launch services market, satellite manufacturing for Rs 1.07 lakh crore, ground equipment Rs 3.85 lakh crore and satellite services Rs 8.17 lakh crore, said the Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space in a response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

“In order to meet the enhanced national requirements for launching satellites for earth observation, communication and navigation, ISRO is taking steps to increase the launch capacity. ISRO will continue to provide the launch capacity, when available, for commercial launch services,” said Singh.

He also said that ISRO is in the process of exploring the possibility of enhanced involvement of Indian industry. Besides meeting the national demand, the industry can explore the opportunities for commercial launch services.