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ISROs Role in Indias Space Programme Remains Central, IN-SPACe Chairman Clarifies
On September 6, 2026, Pawan Goenka—chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe)—posted on X to reassure India’s space community that ISRO’s pivotal role will not be diminished by recent reforms.
Goenka’s comment followed a letter dated September 4, 2026 from nine ISRO employee associations. The groups asked for a clear explanation of proposals that could shift manufacturing and operational responsibilities for launch vehicles and satellites to private firms. They warned that such a shift might alter ISRO’s mandate, workforce, and recruitment.
In the letter, the associations noted that private participation could coexist with a robust, publicly owned ISRO. They cautioned against a policy that would reduce ISRO to a “residual R&D boutique” while launch infrastructure moved to the private sector. The letter also highlighted the absence of formal communication from the Department of Space (DoS) regarding the legal and administrative framework, implementation timeline, or potential impact on staff.
Goenka’s X post clarified that the reforms introduced in 2020 were designed to broaden India’s space ecosystem, not to curtail ISRO’s role. Under the new framework, IN‑SPACe promotes, enables, authorises, and oversees space‑related activities undertaken by non‑government entities, while NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)—a wholly owned public‑sector undertaking—focuses on commercialising established space technologies.
According to Goenka, the reforms allow private industry to manufacture and scale launch vehicles, satellites, and other systems. This would free ISRO to concentrate on advanced research and development, scientific and strategic missions, emerging technologies, and complex infrastructure that private companies may not be able to develop independently.
He cited several upcoming national missions to illustrate ISRO’s continued centrality: the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), targeted for 2035; an Indian human mission to the Moon by 2040; next‑generation launch vehicles; and continued exploration of the Moon and other planets.
ISRO’s own statement on X echoed Goenka’s message, affirming that the agency would remain the “bedrock of India’s space sector” and that private participation is intended to let ISRO focus on advanced capabilities while industry scales mature technologies.
The employee associations’ concerns were amplified by Goenka’s remarks on August 21, 2026, when he said that “eventually, ISRO will not make any launch vehicles and not manufacture any launch vehicles. That will all be done by the private sector or PSUs.” He added that technology developed by ISRO is a national asset and its transfer must be transparent, accountable, and consistent with strategic, safety, and employment considerations.
In a separate X post, Goenka highlighted the growth of India’s private space sector since the reforms. He noted the EOS‑05 mission as a major achievement and mentioned that India now has over 450 private space startups, with at least one private company having flown a rocket to orbit. He also stated that India aims to conduct 50 launches per year by 2030, a goal that would require collaboration between government and private industry.
The reforms, launched five years ago, were framed as a means to help ISRO pursue advanced space capabilities while giving private companies greater scope. Goenka said the focus now must shift toward expanding the sector’s capacity, with ISRO advancing technological frontiers through research and private firms translating those advances into mass production.
The current situation remains that ISRO continues to lead national and strategic missions, while IN‑SPACe and NSIL facilitate private participation. No formal policy has been announced to transfer manufacturing responsibilities, and the Department of Space has not issued a detailed implementation plan. The employee associations await a transparent explanation of how the reforms will affect ISRO’s workforce and future hiring.
The debate underscores the balance India seeks between maintaining a strong public space agency and fostering a growing private sector. The next few months will likely see further clarification from the DoS and the launch of additional private‑sector missions that test the new framework.
Goenka’s comment followed a letter dated September 4, 2026 from nine ISRO employee associations. The groups asked for a clear explanation of proposals that could shift manufacturing and operational responsibilities for launch vehicles and satellites to private firms. They warned that such a shift might alter ISRO’s mandate, workforce, and recruitment.
In the letter, the associations noted that private participation could coexist with a robust, publicly owned ISRO. They cautioned against a policy that would reduce ISRO to a “residual R&D boutique” while launch infrastructure moved to the private sector. The letter also highlighted the absence of formal communication from the Department of Space (DoS) regarding the legal and administrative framework, implementation timeline, or potential impact on staff.
Goenka’s X post clarified that the reforms introduced in 2020 were designed to broaden India’s space ecosystem, not to curtail ISRO’s role. Under the new framework, IN‑SPACe promotes, enables, authorises, and oversees space‑related activities undertaken by non‑government entities, while NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)—a wholly owned public‑sector undertaking—focuses on commercialising established space technologies.
According to Goenka, the reforms allow private industry to manufacture and scale launch vehicles, satellites, and other systems. This would free ISRO to concentrate on advanced research and development, scientific and strategic missions, emerging technologies, and complex infrastructure that private companies may not be able to develop independently.
He cited several upcoming national missions to illustrate ISRO’s continued centrality: the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), targeted for 2035; an Indian human mission to the Moon by 2040; next‑generation launch vehicles; and continued exploration of the Moon and other planets.
ISRO’s own statement on X echoed Goenka’s message, affirming that the agency would remain the “bedrock of India’s space sector” and that private participation is intended to let ISRO focus on advanced capabilities while industry scales mature technologies.
The employee associations’ concerns were amplified by Goenka’s remarks on August 21, 2026, when he said that “eventually, ISRO will not make any launch vehicles and not manufacture any launch vehicles. That will all be done by the private sector or PSUs.” He added that technology developed by ISRO is a national asset and its transfer must be transparent, accountable, and consistent with strategic, safety, and employment considerations.
In a separate X post, Goenka highlighted the growth of India’s private space sector since the reforms. He noted the EOS‑05 mission as a major achievement and mentioned that India now has over 450 private space startups, with at least one private company having flown a rocket to orbit. He also stated that India aims to conduct 50 launches per year by 2030, a goal that would require collaboration between government and private industry.
The reforms, launched five years ago, were framed as a means to help ISRO pursue advanced space capabilities while giving private companies greater scope. Goenka said the focus now must shift toward expanding the sector’s capacity, with ISRO advancing technological frontiers through research and private firms translating those advances into mass production.
The current situation remains that ISRO continues to lead national and strategic missions, while IN‑SPACe and NSIL facilitate private participation. No formal policy has been announced to transfer manufacturing responsibilities, and the Department of Space has not issued a detailed implementation plan. The employee associations await a transparent explanation of how the reforms will affect ISRO’s workforce and future hiring.
The debate underscores the balance India seeks between maintaining a strong public space agency and fostering a growing private sector. The next few months will likely see further clarification from the DoS and the launch of additional private‑sector missions that test the new framework.
