The government told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that India is pursuing a part of the global satellite launch industry and has signed four dedicated launch service contracts with international customers.

In a written response, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said, "With the emergence of global broadband communication needs, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) envisages launches of several of these foreign satellites onboard ISRO's SSLV, PSLV, and GSLV-MkIII."

India's newest launch vehicle, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), is designed to deliver smaller satellites into low-earth orbit. Its maiden test flight is scheduled for May. ISRO successfully tested the newly built solid booster stage (SS1) for SSLV on the ground earlier this month.

Singh said NSIL,  a central public sector company under the Department of Space, has earned 35 million dollars and 10 million euros in foreign exchange revenue over the last three years - 2019-21 - by launching satellites for various commercial and international entities.

He said that in the last three years, NSIL had launched 45 international client satellites onboard ISRO's PSLV and obtained four dedicated launch service contracts for foreign satellite customers.

Centre extends Stock limits on edible oils and oilseeds until Dec 31

India Ratings has lowered its GDP growth forecast for FY23 to 7-7.2 pc

Exports of Agri products rose by 25pc in first ten months of FY22: Govt