'Space ecosystem has to grow': Isro chief defends expanding private sector role
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has defended the agency's strategy to increase private sector participation in India's space program. He emphasized that the growing demand for space assets requires collaboration with startups and industry partners to supplement ISRO's internal capabilities.
Why it matters
This reflects a major shift in India's space policy, moving from a state-led model to a public-private partnership to remain competitive in the global space economy.
BENGALURU: Isro chairman V Narayanan Monday said genuine concerns of his colleagues would be clarified. “...If one or two people give you a letter, one cannot give a written communication immediately. Please understand, we are 20,000 employees. But we will address the employees,” he said on the sidelines of Bengaluru Space Expo 2026 here.Narayanan said that Isro had a system to regularly talk to employees. “...For example, when the space sector reforms were rolled out, from the Chairman onwards, we have regularly engaged with our employees,” he added.Earlier at the inaugural, Isro chairman and IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka made a strong case for greater participation by industry, startups and academia in India’s space programme, arguing that the country’s expanding ambitions cannot be met by the national space agency alone.Their remarks came a day after Isro and Goenka had released separate statements about the role of Isro, IN-SPACe and the private…
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