Nine employee associations of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have sought clarity from the agency’s leadership over the proposed transfer of manufacturing and operational functions to private entities, raising concerns about its implications for ISRO’s future role, existing employees and recruitment.
In a letter dated September 4 to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, the associations said private participation in defined commercial activities could coexist with a strong publicly owned space agency, but questioned any policy that could substantially reduce ISRO’s role in manufacturing launch vehicles and operating launch infrastructure.
“Private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO. What cannot be accepted without debate is a policy that reduces ISRO to a residual R&D boutique while the realisation of the nation’s launch vehicles and the operation of its launch infrastructure pass out of public hands,” the associations said.
Goenka remarks raise questions
The associations referred to remarks made on August 21 by Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the body responsible for promoting, enabling and authorising private-sector space activities.
Goenka had reportedly said that ISRO would eventually stop making or manufacturing launch vehicles and that these activities would be undertaken by the private sector or public sector undertakings.
The employee bodies said the remarks had not been followed by any official communication from the Department of Space explaining whether such a policy had been approved, its legal and administrative basis, how it would be implemented or what it would mean for ISRO’s workforce.
They said employees should not have to learn about decisions with potentially far-reaching consequences for the organisation through media reports.
“Technology developed by ISRO is a national asset. Its transfer must be transparent, accountable and consistent with strategic, safety and employment considerations — not presented to employees through newspaper reports,” the letter said.
Jobs, recruitment in focus
Among the questions raised by the associations is whether the design, development, realisation, integration, testing and launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and their successors would continue to be handled by ISRO or eventually move outside the agency.
The associations have also sought clarity on whether ISRO would continue operating launch infrastructure and other facilities that have traditionally formed part of its mandate.
They asked what the proposed transition would mean for the agency’s sanctioned workforce, existing vacancies and recruitment calendar, as well as the future induction of scientific, technical, administrative and industrial personnel across ISRO centres.
The questions come as India seeks to substantially expand private participation in its space economy, with the government encouraging companies to take up activities that were historically dominated by ISRO. The employee bodies, however, argued that opening commercial opportunities to private players should not come at the cost of weakening the public institution that developed the country’s launch capabilities.
They have sought an official clarification from Narayanan on the policy and its implications for ISRO and its employees.