ISRO to stop making launch vehicles, hand tech to private sector

ISRO will stop manufacturing launch vehicles and transfer all related technology to private industry, IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka announced at the Business Today India @ 100 Economy Summit. Goenka said the space agency will no longer build rockets or routine satellites, leaving production to private firms and public sector undertakings, and will instead focus on research, scientific missions and advanced infrastructure.

The transfer of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has already begun. Goenka said the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) are also slated for privatisation, but public sector companies will not be allowed to bid this time. A private operator for a new launch centre could be finalised within four to five months.

India Today reports the government has transferred 120 technologies from ISRO to the private sector so far. The Department of Defence has placed an order for 31 satellites with private companies, while ISRO will build 21 more under the same programme. India aims to grow its space economy from about $8 billion to $44 billion by 2033. Outlook India adds that the shift builds on 2020 space-sector reforms and notes ISRO has recently congratulated private firms Skyroot Aerospace and GalaxEye on successful launches.