The Indian Space Research Organisation has started working on a plan to hand over production of launch vehicles and communication satellites to industry, its Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, Dr K. Radhakrishnan, said here. Dr. Radhakrishnan exhorted participants at the inauguration of the four-day World Space Biz conference and the accompanying Bengaluru Space Exhibition. If India did not move into such a production regime now, he cautioned, “We will feel the pinch in the next decade.” Currently, some 500 industries participate in space programmes by supplying components, small structures for launch vehicles, satellites, and rocket propellants. However, they need to take on a bigger role, leaving the space agency to focus on improved and futuristic technologies. High-end R&D alone would keep the country among the world’s space leaders, he explained. The national space agency and the Confederation of Indian Industry were in a dialogue to kick-start intensive industry participation. According to the ISRO chief, a large number of missions would be coming up, including communication, remote-sensing and navigation satellites; the PSLV, GSLV and the advanced GSLV-MkIII launchers; exploration projects such as the Mars orbiter that is planned for 2013. “If you [industry] take up launch vehicles and satellites through a consortium and work with ISRO, it will benefit all of us in several ways. ISRO could focus on more challenging tasks.” A minimum turnover can be ensured for the industry, but for its part, it should focus on quality, system engineering, space-quality precision and timely delivery. Currently 36 per cent of the Department of Space’s budget goes towards developing launch vehicles; 55 per cent for various satellites and their applications; and nine per cent outer space exploration plans such as the Rs. 450-crore Mars mission. The former CII President and MD, Nicco Corporation Ltd, Mr Rajive Kaul called the Indian space story “remarkable.” The global space segment was worth $ 290 billion and growing at 22 per cent.
Source: The India Express
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