India plans to launch 6 satellites in 2015-16

India plans to launch six more satellites, including two communication satellites, three navigational satellites and one space satellite, during 2015-16, minister of state in the prime minister's office Jitendra Singh informed Parliament on Thursday.

"Six more satellites are planned to be launched during 2015-16. These are two communication satellites GSAT-6 and GSAT-15; three navigation satellites IRNSS-1E, IRNSS-1F & IRNSS-1G; and one space science satellite ASTROSAT," Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

In addition, Antrix corporation, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation, has contracted to launch 13 satellites from four countries using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

Antrix Corporation Ltd is already marketing remote sensing data (images) from Indian Remote Sensing satellites in the global market through establishment of International Ground Stations and reseller network, he said.

As of April 2015, Isro has launched 74 satellites. Out of these, 7 satellites failed to reach the orbit due to launch failure and 3 satellites failed in orbit.

In addition, Isro has successfully launched 40 foreign satellites from 19 countries and 4 micro and nano satellites built by students of Indian Universities using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

With the launch of IRNSS-1D navigational satellite at the end of March, Isro said it is looking at the possibility of launching satellites using own launch vehicles.

India's heavy lift rocket - Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-MkIII - will be powered by the cryogenic engine, development of which has almost been completed.

Isro is testing technologies like ion propulsion system in order to reduce the mass of satellite launch vehicles.