New Delhi : India’s space sector has recorded a remarkable rise in launch activity over the past two decades, driven by growing global confidence in the country’s space capabilities and an increasingly competitive launch service market. New data reveals that both domestic and foreign satellite launches have seen significant growth, underscoring India’s emergence as a key player in the global space economy.
Sharp Increase in Foreign and Domestic Satellite Launches
According to official figures, India has launched over 500 satellites between January 2004 and November 2025. The growth has been particularly pronounced in the last decade.
| Period | Foreign Satellites | Domestic Satellites |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2013 | 31 | 23 |
| 2014–2025 | 398 | 56 |
The data highlights a more than twelvefold jump in foreign satellite launches between the two periods, reflecting India’s increasing reliability and cost-effectiveness in commercial space missions. Domestic launches also more than doubled, consistent with the expansion of national space programmes and growing demand from Indian industry, academia, and government agencies.
NSIL Generates Strong Revenue Since Its Incorporation
M/s New Space India Limited (NSIL)—the commercial arm of ISRO established in 2019—has played a central role in scaling up India’s commercial space operations.
From FY 2019–20 to FY 2024–25, NSIL has generated:
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Revenue from launch services: ₹2,572 crore
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Expenditure to generate this revenue: ₹1,985 crore
The figures show that NSIL’s commercial operations have not only expanded but also demonstrated a healthy revenue-to-expenditure ratio, signalling strong demand for India’s PSLV and other launch vehicles in global markets.
Growing Competition in the Launch Market
Despite India’s rising profile, NSIL faces increasing competition as the global launch industry undergoes rapid transformation. Several private and government-backed space companies worldwide are aggressively expanding their launch capabilities, pushing all players to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and innovate.
NSIL is, however, continuing its efforts to retain and grow its market share, leveraging India’s proven track record in reliable launches, competitive pricing, and its expanding portfolio of satellite and space technology offerings.
A Strong Future for India’s Space Sector
With a steady rise in launch activities and the growing commercial role of NSIL, India’s space sector is positioned for further expansion. As demand for satellite-based services—from communication and navigation to earth observation—continues to increase globally, India remains well placed to secure a larger share of the international space economy in the coming years.