ISRO Will Remain Under Government Control, Says Chairman V. Narayanan

The Indian Space Research Organisation will stay under government control and will not be privatised, agency chairperson V. Narayanan announced on Saturday. Speaking at a graduation event in Porur, he clarified that while private companies will handle certain operations on a commercial basis, ownership of the agency remains unchanged. Addressing the growing need for space technology, Mr. Narayanan noted that the 64-year-old space programme currently operates 56 satellites, but national demand requires thousands more. Under the Indian Space Policy of 2023, ISRO will support startups and private firms to help expand the country's space sector and economy. When a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle takes off, 75% of the budget goes to private industries. The chairperson stressed that private contributions should not be mistaken for the privatisation of ISRO itself.

Upcoming Space Missions

Several upcoming missions are progressing as planned. The launch of the NVS-03 navigation satellite is set for October 30, with the rocket already moved to the launch pad on Saturday. For the Gaganyaan mission, the rocket and its crew escape system are ready, and ISRO plans to test three unmanned flights before attempting a manned spaceflight, following 8,000 ground experiments. Additionally, the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to land on the moon and return with a sample, is planned for 2028.

Context

India's growing space sector increasingly relies on private manufacturing for rockets and satellites to meet soaring commercial and scientific demands. By outsourcing parts of production while keeping core command under state control, the agency aims to scale up operations without losing public oversight.