Tap space-tech start-ups’ capabilities for major projects of Indian space programme: G. Madhavan Nair

Former ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair says ISRO alone has the capability to achieve the aims of landing an Indian astronaut on the moon or building India’s space station. (File photo) The talents and resources of space-tech start-ups should be tapped for flagship initiatives such as landing an Indian astronaut on the moon and building the Bharat Antariksh Station rather than encouraging unhealthy competition with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), former Chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) G. Madhavan Nair has said.Inaugurating a seminar on ‘ISRO’s Future: Concerns and Anxieties,’ organised by the ISRO Pensioners’ Association in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (October 7, 2026), Dr. Nair questioned the rationale of start-ups developing rockets with 300-kg payload capability when ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) could launch up to 500 kg. Such efforts have value if the launch vehicle is extremely cost-effective, reliable and has a better turn-around time.Dr. Nair said that, in his assessment, ISRO alone has the capability to achieve the aims of landing an Indian astronaut on the moon or building India’s space station. “Only ISRO can conceive the total mission, break it up into sub-systems, qualify them and fructify the missions in minimum time,” he said.He called for cooperation among ISRO, start-ups and the industry for the future progress of India’s space programme. What is required is a cooperative environment rather than unhealthy competition, he said.Foreign fundingDr. Nair dismissed concerns regarding the role of private players in the Indian space programme saying that ISRO-private industry relations had begun 50 years ago with the SLV-3 project. On concerns over foreign funding in space start-ups, he said the government should look into such issues.Former director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre M.C. Dathan, former KELTRON chairman and ISRO veteran N. Narayana Moorthy, ISRO Pensioners’ Association president A.G. Rajendran and general secretary Johnson S. Fernandez spoke. Published - October 07, 2026 10:05 pm IST