New Delhi

Over the last five years, the commercial arm of India's space agency has raked in millions in foreign revenue by launching satellites of customers from 19 nations. According to data revealed in India's Upper House of Parliament, the 177 foreign satellites launched in the last 19 years are from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA.  

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On a commercial basis, the Indian Space Research Organization has placed orbit satellites of varying sizes using primarily the PSLV launcher. "The foreign exchange revenue generated through the launching of these 177 foreign satellites from January 2018 to November 2022 is approximately 94 million USD and 46 million Euro" read the written reply of Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office. 

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While the PSLV continues to be the mainstay of commercial launchers operated by India, the country recently used its heaviest rocket LVM3 or GSLV Mk3 on its maiden commercial mission. Carried out in October 2022, the mission involved orbiting 36 internet communication satellites of the UK-based firm OneWeb. This marked the entry of the LMV3 into the global commercial launch market, which has largely been dominated by a few space agencies or private firms from the US and Europe.  

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With the LVM3 having matured as a launch vehicle and proven itself by delivering complete successes in all missions to date, the vehicle offers much promise for future commercial opportunities. In February 2023, the LVM3 is to be launched again for orbiting another set of OneWeb satellites. Once the newest rocket, SSLV or India's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle is operational and proven, it can further bolster the prospects for commercial launch services from India.