Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to leave behind the "day-to-day" rocket-building as India looks to open up its lucrative space programme to private players. The shift is meant to enable it to focus on more "innovative" areas of research, technology, science and exploration.
IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said that the move was underway with ISRO handing over the responsibility for launch vehicles to private players and public sector units while the organisation will be able to focus on newer areas.
Goenka said, quoted by Outlook India, “ISRO will not make any launch vehicles and will not manufacture any launch vehicles. That will all be done by the private sector or PSU.”
As part of the transition, technology for the three-stage Small Satellite Launch Vehicle has been transferred to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited following a competitive bidding process. Production of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and Launch Vehicle Mark-3 is also being opened to private industry consortia, with the government seeking greater private-sector leadership in future launch vehicle manufacturing.
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The government also proposed to invite bids within five years to operate a commercial launch pad, thus liberalizing the process even further.
The government's proposal is part of an initiative to promote commercialization of India's space program and boost the domestic space sector. The space sector's worth has been estimated at Rs.$9 billion, with projections of $40-45 billion over the next decade. The government also aims to achieve a space economy worth $44 billion by 2033.
India's space industry has expanded rapidly since reforms opened the sector to private companies and start-ups. Government data indicates that around 440 space start-ups were registered by August 2026, compared with just one in 2014. Private investment has also increased, supported by government funding and technology-transfer initiatives.
More than 120 indigenous space technologies have already been transferred to commercial companies, while ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd, continues to facilitate technology transfers to industry.
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The shift marks a major change in ISRO's traditional role, separating routine manufacturing from advanced research and exploration while creating greater opportunities for private companies to develop and operate space assets.
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