Isro's commercial arm earns Rs 209 cr by launching 5 British satellites

The mission was the heaviest commercial mission for Isro

Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro's) commercial arm Antrix Corporation earned Rs 209.41 crore by launching five British Satellites last month.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh in reply to unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today said that the total value of the transaction agreement entered between Antrix Corporation Limited and DMC International Imaging (DMCii), a wholly owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), UK for launch of 5 British Satellite's viz. DMC3-1, DMC3-2, DMC3-3, CBNT-1 and De-orbitsail, is 28 Million Euros (Rs 209.41 crore).

From 1999 till date, 45 foreign satellites from 19 countries have been successfully launched using PSLV, under commercial arrangement between Antrix Corporation Limited and the foreign customer. The total revenue earned by Antrix through launching of these foreign satellites amounts to approx. $ 17 Million and Euros 78.5 Million, said the Minister.

Working with private sector

For another question, the Minsiter said ISRO is making efforts to consolidate and enhance participation of Indian industries including private entities in the manufacture of space related hardware such as rocket engine & stages, propellant tanks, spacecraft structures, solar panels, thermal control systems etc., required for satellites and launch vehicles. It is envisaged that the industry will have enhanced contribution towards manufacture of standardised components as well as integrated systems /subsystems through appropriate consortium.

He added, the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Department of Space are collaborating for developing disaster mitigation techniques for accurate forecasting of cyclone track & intensity, heavy rainfall alerts, fog, inundation scenarios in the coastal areas and in establishment of Tsunami & Storm Surge Warning Centre and Doppler Weather Radars.