Thiruvananthapuram: S Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, revealed a transformative vision for the Indian space sector during his address at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) 2024, emphasizing a shift towards commercialization and openness.
Highlighting the evolution from a historically “closed” and “secretive” domain, Somanath emphasized the imperative to reposition the space sector as an economic endeavor rather than solely a governmental pursuit, aligning with global trends observed in countries like the USA.
Over the past six decades, the focus of India’s space endeavors has primarily revolved around societal applications and delivering services for the welfare of the masses, remarked Somanath. However, recognizing the immense potential for growth, ISRO aims to catalyze a paradigm shift by increasing the budget tenfold and instituting significant policy reforms.
These reforms entail delegating manufacturing responsibilities for rockets and satellites to the private sector, expanding research initiatives beyond ISRO, and intensifying scientific missions such as Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan.
Somanath articulated a visionary agenda encompassing sustained scientific exploration, including missions to Mars and the Moon, the establishment of a national space station, and expedited efforts towards manned space missions and lunar exploration.
To materialize these ambitions, ISRO centers across the country have been engaged in intensive design work and strategic planning, including the conceptualization of a space station and plans for lunar missions and sample retrieval.
Emphasizing the global momentum towards space exploration and technology, Somanath underscored the imperative for India to foster a robust ecosystem for rocket and satellite manufacturing, enticing multinational corporations to invest and collaborate within the country.
In pursuit of this objective, ISRO is actively engaged in discussions with leading entities such as Boeing to facilitate indigenous production and launch capabilities, signaling a departure from the erstwhile closed-door approach towards a more inclusive and collaborative ethos.
The ongoing MBIFL, themed ‘Exploring Plurality,’ serves as a platform for nuanced discussions and engagements aimed at understanding diverse perspectives, cultures, and identities, underscoring the importance of embracing openness and inclusivity in all spheres.
