ISRO slowly hiving off non-core work to private sector

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is going the National Aeronautics and Space Agency's (NASA) way. NASA is now focussing on only the high-end space research, leaving much of the routine jobs like building rockets, to the private sector.

The move is helps the private sector play a major role in space exploration, K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO, said here on Wednesday.

"While in 1984, there were only six firms that worked on ISRO's projects, today there are over 500 companies that are working with ISRO. Today about 60 per cent of the budget for space research goes to the industry," he said.

With the cost of space exploration and space research shooting up, it has become now more prudent to hive off non-core business for space research agencies. The ISRO is now involved in "cutting-edge research and development" and is partnering with R&D labs for the same.

ISRO is also working to create hubs for making its rockets and satellites, with industry partners, in Bangalore, Sriharikota and in Ahmedabad.

Meanwhile, preparations by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are in their final stages for launch of the GSAT 10 aboard an Ariane rocket from Kourou in French Guiana in South America. The launch is scheduled for September 22, K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO, said here on the sidelines of the inauguration of the World Space-Biz-2012, an International Conference on Space Business.

Meanwhile, the ISRO, fresh from its successful 100th mission when it launched two foreign satellites from Sriharikota on September 9, is launching the communication satellite GSAT 10 which has 30 transponders that are in the KU band, C band and extended C band. The Ariane rocket with GSAT 10 is scheduled to life off from Kourou in French Guiana.

"The satellite is now being assembled into the Ariane launch vehicle. Preparations are on and once the satellite is injected into the orbit, ISRO's Master Control Facility in Hassan in Karnataka will take control and within two days it will be put in the geostationary orbit," he said.

Radhakrishnan said earth observation satellite Saral, the next in line for ISRO launches, was undergoing testing at ISRO Satellite Centre in the city and the launch vehicle booting will start after 25 days.
"Before the satellite is launched, we need to inspect the launch pad and make modifications and then we would plan the countdown," he added.