India earned 40 mn euro launching foreign satellites

India has earned around 40 million euros launching 15 foreign satellites from 2011 till date, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Jitendra Singh - who is also minister for Earth sciences, department of atomic energy and department of space, said the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched 15 foreign satellites and 14 Indian satellites during fiscal years 2011-2014 and in this fiscal.

He said the revenue earned through launch of foreign satellites was 39.82 million euros.

Jitendra Singh also said the department of space has laid down the future space programme till 2020.

The plan envisages development of advanced launch vehicle systems, thematic earth observational satellites with improved resolution, high-power, high-throughput communication satellites, microwave multi-spectral remote sensing satellites, weather and climate studies, constellation of satellites for regional navigation, development of critical technologies for human spaceflight and satellites for space science and planetary exploration purposes.

He said India has spent Rs.349.9 crore on its Mars Orbiter Mission till March 31, of the total project outlay of Rs.450 crore. The Mars Orbiter was launched Nov 5, 2013.