The space programme in India is witnessing an increase in the number of missions. Towards achieving shorter turnaround time for realising these missions, VSSC/ISRO has been encouraging wider participation of the industries through technology transfer, technology utilisation, industry cooperation and vendor development. This has started giving rich benefits to VSSC/ISRO, in terms of industry significantly contributing in all the spheres of space endeavours in the country. 80% of the annual budget of VSSC is for industry- whether it be in the form of procurement, off shore work centres , technology transfer or vendor development programmes. Investment from VSSC has helped in the development of the industrial sector in India.

Corporate majors like Godrej, Tatas, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindras and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have supplied critical systems, spacecraft parts, and liquid pro¬pulsion engines for launch vehicles to Isro. Indeed, the HAL’s cooperation with Isro since the mid-1960s include fabricating fuel tanks and alloy parts for the agency’s Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and its workhorse launcher the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Association of more than 1000 small, medium and large scale industries with VSSC is a result of gradual nurturing of industry partnership over the past years. Active cooperation in the form of know-how transfers, technical consultancy and vendor development has enabled VSSC to meet the increasing challenges in realising the launch vehicles.Seeking new horizons in space exploration, VSSChas opened its doors to the private industry for help in manufacturing launch vehicles.

The PSU also built key components like fuel tanks for Isro’s historic Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) that was launched in 2013. In fact, India’s heaviest satellite, the GSAT 7, which was launched by the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark III on its first operational flight on June 5, had major inputs from companies like HAL and Godrej and Boyce. While all this augurs well for Isro to become a leader in the highly competitive global satellite launch services market, the latest decision to energise its partnership with the private sector has a special significance: it signals Isro’s determination to speed up its indigenisation programme started two decades ago.

The space agency needs to work with private enterprises and state-run majors if it is to reach its goal of fully indigenising the design and development of space technologies. And there has never been a better time for the effort to gather steam than now as the “Make in India” programme is bound to give it a leg-up. The space agency has plans to build up to 20 satellites a year, which is a tall order for it to undertake with its current in-house capabilities. The agency’s 18,000-strong human resource pool has remained more or less constant for years now while the number of satellites emerging from its stables has gone up considerably. Now with its talent pool widening, Isro will have to provide the training for the industry at its centres and share its time-tested designs, drawings and testing facilities.And of even greater significance perhaps is its decision to allow private players to help build launch vehicles. While industry played an increasingly larger role in building satellite systems and infrastructure and launch services till now, allowing direct private participation in critical areas like developing launchers is certainly a bold step for Isro — if one in the right direction.

Opening the door wider to the industry will also encourage bigger players to join in the effort to bolster India’s launch capability. That, in turn, could help the establishment of a sub-continental space industry based on public private partnership. India now boasts of up to 30% cheaper launches than other countries. Low cost access to space is the watchword in the space sector and involving the private industry would leave Isro scientists free to focus on R&D for other key technologies.