(a) whether the Indian Space Research Organisation''s (ISRO''s) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has launched successfully five United Kingdom''s satellites recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the number of satellites launched successfully by PSLV and the revenue earned as a result thereof, country-wise; and
(c) the steps taken to promote/increase commercial launches by PSLV?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION NO. 126 REGARDING “LAUNCH OF UNITED KINGDOM’S SATELLITES” ASKED BY ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR AND SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 2015.
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) On 10th July 2015, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-28) has successfully launched five satellites from United Kingdom viz. DMC3-1, DMC3-2, DMC3-3, CBNT-1 and De-orbitsail from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
Till date, PSLV has successfully launched 45 foreign satellites under commercial agreement between Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix) and the foreign customers. The total revenue earned through launching of 45 foreign satellites amounts to approximately 17 Million USD and 78.5 Million Euros. The details of the revenue earned, country-wise is given below:
Algeria [2.75 Million Euros]; Argentina [0.02 Million USD]; Belgium [0.85 Million USD]; Canada [0.5 Million USD & 7.4 Million Euros towards satellites from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Switzerland]; France [31.4 Million Euros]; Germany [0.85 Million USD & 0.37 Million Euros]; Italy [7.38 Million Euros]; Indonesia [0.3 Million USD]; Israel [13 Million USD]; Japan [0.27 Million Euros]; Luxembourg (0.54 Million Euros]; The Netherlands [0.09 Million Euros towards satellites from Germany, Turkey, Switzerland]; Republic of Korea [0.65 Million USD]; Singapore [1 Million USD & 0.14 Million Euros]; and United Kingdom [28.12 Million Euros].
(c) The primary goal of ISRO is to meet the domestic need of launches of Indian satellites. However, some capacity of Indian Launchers is kept for commercial use. Antrix/ ISRO through its presence in international arena, conferences (presentation, publication of papers), exhibitions, business meetings with foreign customers is further promoting the commercial launch capabilities and opportunities to earn more foreign exchange for the country. Antrix has already signed agreements for launching 28 more foreign satellites from 6 countries viz. Algeria, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore and USA. The launches of these foreign satellites are envisaged during 2015-2017 time period.
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