A group of employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reiterated concerns over the expanding involvement of private companies in India’s space sector, stressing that greater industry participation should strengthen rather than weaken the space agency’s technological and operational capabilities.
In a fresh note circulated among ISRO employees on Thursday, the Joint Action Council (JAC), which represents several employee associations, said it was not against private-sector participation, The Indian Express reported.
However, the JAC said the expansion of private involvement should be structured in a way that strengthens India’s overall space capabilities while protecting ISRO’s core functions.
Employees Seek Clarity on ISRO’s Future
The latest statement comes shortly after the employee associations raised similar concerns with ISRO Chairman V Narayanan.
The groups wrote to Narayanan on September 4, a day after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 mission. In their letter, they sought greater clarity about ISRO’s future responsibilities and role in the country’s space programme.
Their concerns followed reports that ISRO could increasingly focus on a smaller number of strategic missions, while other areas of space activity could be opened to private companies.
The possibility prompted the associations to seek clarification about the impact such a change could have on ISRO’s existing technological and operational capabilities.
Narayanan later sought to address the concerns, stating that there was no proposal to privatise ISRO. He said the organisation would continue developing and strengthening its capabilities while working alongside private companies to expand India’s space economy.
He also held a video conference with ISRO employees to address their concerns.
JAC Calls for Transparency in Technology Sharing
In its latest note, the JAC acknowledged the contribution that Indian companies, public sector undertakings and start-ups can make to the growth of the country’s space ecosystem.
At the same time, the associations called for private-sector participation to be governed by greater transparency and accountability.
The employee groups also questioned how technologies developed by ISRO should be owned and used. They argued that the agency’s capabilities have been developed using public funds and should therefore not simply be used to generate private profits without an appropriate return to the nation.
The JAC called for a “level-playing field” and greater transparency in the process. It also opposed transferring publicly developed technologies, assets or facilities to private companies at what it described as “throwaway prices”.
LVM3 and NGLV Among Technologies Mentioned
The associations also recognised the need for India to increase the number of space missions and launches. According to the JAC, achieving that objective would require participation from private companies.
However, the employee groups argued that greater private involvement should not automatically result in the transfer of mature technologies developed by ISRO.
The note specifically mentioned the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is currently under development.
The associations said these advanced launch vehicle systems should remain under ISRO. They also argued that the space agency should retain the complete chain of capabilities associated with such systems, covering research and development, realisation, integration, testing and launch.
The four-page note was undated but was circulated among ISRO employees on Thursday. The Indian Express reported that it obtained a copy of the document and confirmed its authenticity with two serving employees.
Attempts to obtain an official response from ISRO regarding the latest statement were unsuccessful.