Home / Science / ISRO Reassures Staff: No Privatization Ahead
ISRO Reassures Staff: No Privatization Ahead
7 Sep
Summary
- ISRO will continue as India's main space research institution.
- Staff concerns were raised over potential activity transfers to companies.
- Government aims to boost private sector space industry participation.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has affirmed its status as the country's premier institution for space research and development. This clarification follows concerns voiced by the ISRO staff association regarding reported plans to transfer manufacturing and operational duties to private and state-run entities. ISRO has explicitly stated it will not be privatized and its significance will not be reduced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has been focused on expanding private sector engagement in India's space industry since 2020. This push has led to increased private participation in activities like rocket manufacturing. For instance, a consortium including Hindustan Aeronautics is producing ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, and technology for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle has been transferred to HAL.
Officials, like Pawan Goenka, chairman of space regulator IN-SPACe, stated that these reforms are aimed at growing the overall Indian space ecosystem, not diminishing ISRO's role. He reiterated that ISRO remains the bedrock of the nation's space sector, supporting national missions and advanced research.
