The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO, has revealed that it is currently in the process of looking to expand the role of its industry partners in its operations. The space body is mulling over the possibility of starting joint ventures with them, and eventually preparing them for performing entire tasks like satellite launches.
The Indian space agency’s commercial arm, the Antrix Corporation has been asked by it to think about such opportunities for specific projects. ISRO’s chairman A S Kiran Kumar has gone on to disclose that internal teams are being formed in order to draft a plan regarding this matter.
He told The Hindu in a recent interview that the space body is hoping to get a clear picture about the whole situation in about a year. Surely, this is going to be a long process, and hence the extent of financing and equity will only be decided later on.
In the meantime, ISRO has asked Antrix to recognize industries and requirements and has even started discussions internally. Kumar has predicted that Antrix might chalk up ventures with public or private entities that had already been supplying for India’s space program, which is not surprising.
The premier space agency currently has a backlog of several communication satellites waiting to be put into orbit. If tasks like these are undertaken by partner agencies, the ISRO will be able to focus on other important tasks like developing superior technologies for next-generation satellites and launch vehicles.
It now remains to be seen what Antrix comes up with in regards to the responsibility that has been handed out to it by ISRO. We’ll have more on the matter when additional details are out.