ISRO earned over Rs. 100 crore in the last three years by launching satellites of other countries, Minister of State in PMO, Prithviraj Chavan told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The space agency launched 12 foreign satellites during the last three years, including six nano satellites at a cost of Rs. 101.60 crore, he said.
In reply to a separate query, Mr. Chavan said ISRO also plans to launch a Naval satellite in 2010-11 which would provide communication facility to various naval vessels.
He said the ISRO plans to send human beings in space and undertake planetary exploration within the next decade.
“The overall thrust of the space programme for the future is to sustain and strengthen space-based services in a self-reliant manner towards national development and develop space technology capabilities in the areas of advanced satellites,” Mr. Chavan said.
The space programme also envisages enhancing capabilities in the areas of satellite communications, navigation, earth observation and human space flight in addition to pursuing research in space science, astronomy and planetary exploration, he said.
ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is capable of putting into orbit a 500 kg payload to undertake a mission to Mars.
