India’s space industry is poised for a new era as private companies play a bigger role in tasks traditionally executed by the ISRO.
Clarification Needed From ISRO
Nine employee organizations, with several thousand members who work for Indian Space Research Organisation , have written to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan demanding written clarification from the government regarding its strategy for increased participation of private sector in the space industry. The organizations have also asked for information about the future roles of ISRO and what the implications would be for ISRO employees. The organizations wish to find out how the increasing involvement of the private companies would affect ISRO in designing, developing, testing, and launching space systems. They have also demanded clarification on recruitment, promotions, and training in technical skills.
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Why Are the Employees Worried?
Their worries come in light of signs that private firms and publicly owned businesses could assume greater accountability in launching rockets. The employee groups have asked if ISRO will continue launching large systems like PSLV, LVM3, and SSLV or whether some of their functions could be outsourced. They have also raised issues over the outsourcing and privatization of technology and facilities that have been made with public money.
Changes are taking place in India’s space sector
It has been several years since India opened up the space sector to private firms to promote investments and innovations. Thanks to the reforms, there is now an increasing number of private space businesses participating in various operations including those involving launchers, satellites, Earth observation, and other types of technologies. This is because the government wants to let ISRO concentrate on research and development activities, while the private firms perform the business part.
