ISRO chief S Somanath calls on big industries to build space companies in India

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath called on major industries to invest in space infrastructure manufacturing, stressing the need to build leading space companies in India.

While the country has done well in the downstream sector, focused on space applications, Somanath highlighted India's lag in the upstream segment, which focuses on the manufacturing of space hardware, propulsion systems, and space exploration.

"The challenges in the upstream side, building big platforms, building rockets and launching them remains very elusive primarily because of the higher investment required, the technology risks, the possibility of failures, recovery," Somanath said, speaking on the inaugural day of the Indian Space Association's third India Space Conclave.

"There are industries and startups happening but their ability to scale up to a level, become competitive enough to challenge established players remains to be seen. Here is where the roles of bigger industry houses in India need to come in," he added.

Somanath's call for India's major industries to invest in upstream space infrastructure resonates globally, as India seeks to bridge the gap with international players like SpaceX, whose success in launching reusable rockets and achieving cost-effective space missions has transformed the sector.

While India’s strength has traditionally been in downstream applications, such as satellite technology and data services, Somanath highlights that achieving similar prowess in manufacturing rockets and space platforms is essential to becoming globally competitive.

"India is not void of any big houses having enough capability to invest and create as much as others are there in the world. But they need to take the plunge, possibly alone or in a very cooperative mode with others where there are skills in various areas," Somanath said.

"If they can join together to create that capability, we will be all the more happy to associate and support to create that capability in India," the ISRO chief said.

"We need to create leading space companies in India, not just service providing companies. (We need to create space companies) who have the ability to design, conceive, manufacture and put up competitive, cost-competitive products in front of the world," he added.