ISRO’s Growing Dominance in the Global Space Market: 390 Foreign Satellites Launched for 34 Nations Since 2014

New Delhi:
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has further strengthened its position as a major global player in the space sector, successfully launching satellites for 34 countries since 2014. With more than 390 foreign satellites placed into orbit— including 232 from the United States alone—ISRO has emerged as a trusted, cost-effective and technologically advanced launch service provider on the world stage.

The latest milestone was achieved with the successful launch of an American satellite belonging to AST SpaceMobile. ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket precisely deployed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), underlining India’s growing capabilities in handling complex commercial and international missions.

According to information shared by the Indian Embassy in Washington, this achievement reflects ISRO’s rising credibility in the highly competitive global space market. The embassy highlighted that ISRO’s reputation has been built on technical excellence, reliability, affordability and the consistent ability to overcome complex challenges.

Record-Breaking Achievements

One of ISRO’s most celebrated accomplishments came in 2017, when it created history by launching 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a world record that showcased India’s advanced launch capabilities and precision engineering.

India Becomes the Fourth Nation to Achieve Space Docking

In a significant technological breakthrough, India became the fourth country in the world—after the United States, Russia and China—to successfully demonstrate space docking in early 2025. Under the SPADEX mission (PSLV-C60), two small satellites—SDX-01 and SDX-02—were successfully docked in space on January 16, 2025, following their launch on December 30, 2024.

Space docking is a critical capability for future missions, including the proposed Indian Space Station and human missions to the Moon. Subsequent experiments such as undocking, power transfer and rolling maneuvers were also completed successfully.

Boost to Gaganyaan Mission

ISRO’s progress in human spaceflight also marked a historic moment in 2025, when Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Spending 18 days aboard the ISS, the mission—along with the involvement of backup astronaut Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair—provided critical experience for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

100th Launch and Stronger Navigation System

Another landmark achievement came on January 29, 2025, when ISRO conducted its 100th launch from Sriharikota with the successful deployment of NVS-02 aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket. The satellite significantly enhanced NavIC, India’s indigenous regional navigation system, reinforcing strategic autonomy in satellite-based navigation.

A Rising Global Space Power

From commercial satellite launches to advanced human spaceflight technologies, ISRO’s expanding portfolio reflects India’s rapid ascent as a major space power. Its ability to deliver reliable, affordable and cutting-edge solutions has not only strengthened India’s strategic capabilities but also cemented its dominance in the global space market.