"ISRO Employees Seek Clarity Amid Space Privatisation Debate"
IN-SPACe
autonomous single-window agency that authorises and promotes private-sector space activities in India.
NSIL
ISRO's commercial arm handling technology transfer and commercialisation of space products.
India's space programme was run for a long time as one integrated state agency. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) built satellites and rockets. It launched them and ran the missions itself. This model gave India big wins. For example, India reached Mars orbit on its first attempt. But one agency carried all the cost, risk, and workload.
The Space Sector Reforms of 2020 changed this setup. The government created IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) as an independent, single-window body. IN-SPACe facilitates and authorises private-sector participation in space activities. Alongside it, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) was set up as ISRO's business arm. NSIL is ISRO's commercial arm for technology transfer and commercialisation. It sells launch services. It leases out ISRO-built satellites. It transfers technology to private firms.
Private companies used this opening quickly. Agnikul Cosmos flew the world's first rocket powered by a 3D-printed engine. Skyroot Aerospace built its own Vikram series of rockets. It used a mix of solid and liquid propulsion stages for its own launch vehicle, not liquid fuel for ISRO's GSLV. Separately, ISRO handed over SSLV rocket production to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for serial manufacture. These steps set up today's bigger question: how far should this shift go?
Four bodies now shape India's space sector. Each has a different job. ISRO builds and runs big science and exploration missions. It remains the main centre for rocket and satellite technology. IN-SPACe is the referee that clears private players to operate. NSIL sells and commercialises what ISRO and private firms build. HAL manufactures the SSLV rocket under licence. The current debate is about redrawing the line between these four.
One idea often raised is the 'NASA model' (meaning: a system where the national space agency focuses only on research and exploration, leaving routine launches to private firms). The NASA model has ISRO focus on exploration while private players handle routine launches. Under this idea, ISRO would stop making or flying commercial rockets itself. …
Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme:
1.The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
2.Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
3.Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Match the following institutions in India's space sector (List I) with their primary role (List II):
List I:
A.ISRO
B.IN-SPACe
C.NSIL
D.HAL
List II:
1.Licensed serial production of the SSLV rocket
2.Single-window facilitation and authorisation of private space activities
3.Core R&D, exploration and mission execution
4.Commercialisation and technology transfer
Select the correct code:
Consider the following statements:
1.Agnikul Cosmos achieved the world's first rocket flight powered by a 3D-printed engine.
2.Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for ISRO's GSLV rocket.
3.GalaxEye became the first Indian startup to receive a US patent for a satellite-imaging technology.
How many of the above statements are correct?
The cryogenic engine hot-tested for the LVM3-M7 mission, along with its liquid oxygen tank pressurisation module for the C32 stage, is linked to preparations for which ISRO programme?
The 'BRICS New Delhi Declaration' on space cooperation was adopted by a grouping that currently includes which of the following countries?
1.Indonesia
2.Ethiopia
3.United Arab Emirates
4.United Kingdom
Select the correct answer using the code below:
ISRO recently extended its cooperation agreement with which organisation for five more years?
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