ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) earned more than 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 last 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, 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 space program also envisioned 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.