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United News of India
38 minutes ago
- United News of India
Does ISRO need reshuffle? Questions arise over satellite and rocket production shifts
Chennai, Aug 18 (UNI) With the production of satellites and rockets now being outsourced and the Indian government's satellites are managed under the public sector NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the future of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) looks uncertain and the question arises whether the key part of the Department of Space (DoS) under the central government needs a reshuffle. Recently in a highly debated decision, private space sector regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), announced that the PixxelSpace India-led group, comprising Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space—will build and operate India's first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite system. Historically, EO satellites and satellite constellations were firmly within ISRO's domain. The other major satellite constellation under ISRO, the NavIC system (Navigation with Indian Satellite Constellation)system, has yet to be fully completed. It raises a pertinent question, whether the government will look at private companies to supply the satellite constellation to provide the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) or the navigation services? Interestingly, a private space start-up AeroDome Technologies Private Limited co-founded by alumni of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) is working on a navigation satellite constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO). 'Location and time are the foundational pillars of the modern connected world. Every piece of technology, upon activation, seeks to answer two fundamental questions: when and where,' Vibhor Jain, Co-Founder, AeroDome Technologies told this writer. However, retired ISRO officials said that communication satellite operations are the only part of the space sector likely to generate profits and not PNT or earth observation services. They suggest that had ISRO established a satellite communications company years ago, the situation might have been different today. On the rocket side, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's leading aircraft manufacturer, won a tender to produce ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) for Rs. 511 crore. NSIL also entered into an Rs. 860 crore agreement to buy five Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) from a HAL-Larsen & Toubro Ltd consortium, with ISRO providing the technology for these rockets. It is not known whether ISRO will continue to buy the PSLV rockets from outside after the fifth one from HAL-Larsen & Toubro consortium or revert back to the existing model-assembling the vehicle by itself. And last year, NSIL had also called for Request for Qualification (RFQ) to manufacture ISRO's heavy lift rocket LVM3 on public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. Given these changes and ISRO's huge manpower (sanctioned 17,000 but in place around 16,000 excluding the contracts) a question arises: Should ISRO shift its focus from production to only research? Instead of transferring the rocket and other production technologies to others, could ISRO spin off its various units into separate government-owned companies, with NSIL serving as the procurement and marketing arm? And ISRO in a new avatar could focus on the research, for which it was originally formed. Long ago, in the Indian nuclear power, the field was clearly demarcated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) focussed on research and development of reactors while Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) focussed on setting up power plants sourcing equipment from outside and generate power. There are separate companies for uranium and rare earth mineral mining and other activities. In the case of ISRO the roles got blurred over the years by carrying out the assembling of commercial satellites and rockets. With the glamour, fame attached to the rocket launches, officials did not look at separating the functions, industry officials said. It is also said the sum of the turnover of Indian space agency's various divisions-rocket, satellite manufacturing, satellite payloads, rocket engine production, launcher integration and launch services, tracking and satellite maintenance- if spun off into different business entities will surpass that of its behemoth parent owing to focused leadership and innovation. 'There are no production facilities in ISRO. It was never created or funded to create. Only R&D facilities were created. We are doing most of the production in industry or using GOCO (government owned and contractor operated) models. There is nothing that can be separated as production facilities except some explosives and propellant processing facilities which in any way won't be possible to be transferred,' former Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO told this writer. 'You can see that production of all structures and tanks are in HAL and other industries, all electronics in many industries, all machining related works are in industry as well. What ISRO does is development, system engineering and integration, which in any way has to be done by ISRO as there is none,' Somanath said. 'The purpose of technology transfer is to create the final leg of capability in industry,' he added. Somanath said majority of the ISRO staff are in R&D except people required for the facilities running and some critical production and also in rocket launch operation at the rocket port in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. 'The scientists are not recruited for operational work. But now scientists do it part time because work has to be done as there is no industry ready to take integration with required skill. These many people are in so many domains of research in many centres. Each domain has only a handful of people really,' Somanath added. Tapan Misra, retired Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO told this writer: 'Currently ISRO has two roles – R&D and production. There is substantial manpower deployed in production activity with two/three generations of engineers involved in production than in hard core research.' 'On paper engineers are scientists and many of them are involved in production. Only about 20-30 percent of the staff is involved in research and development and the others are in a supportive role,' Misra commented. According to him, ISRO has missed the bus of kerosene and methane powered rockets. So production and repetitive work has to be taken outside of ISRO as the technology is also old. Only now ISRO is developing a methane powered rocket. Misra said, given this situation, production of existing rockets by a public sector unit like HAL has to be there till the private rocket makers mature and stabilise. The PSUs may produce for ISRO now and may do the same for the private players later. As regards the ISRO staff, the young and bright ones may be encouraged to focus on research and float start-ups and the senior and experienced ones in the production can be deputed to HAL. Those who bid and win the tenders to make rockets and satellites may not have the experience in making the same and hence ISRO's experienced talent pool will be of great help. Industry officials also add that production of rockets and satellites should also be there in the public sector as the government cannot be allowed to be dictated by the private players. 'For instance the Indian government owned telecom player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has the necessary backend network to support the government and public needs when exigencies demand,' Misra said. Perhaps at a future date, ISRO's production/assembly units may be housed under NSIL. Currently ISRO's facilities are allowed to be used by the private space sector players. 'India now should have a clear focus on the space sector model it wants to focus –American (strong government-private collaboration), the Chinese (military-civil mixture), the European (collaboration amongst nations with current focus on autonomy encouraging private participation) or its own existing model (national development focus, government control, public sector driven and now with private participation encouraged). A hybrid model of these three will not work,' a retired senior ISRO official told this writer. UNI VJ AAB
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Business Standard
42 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Tamil Nadu clears design scheme, launches Centres of Excellence under TNSM
As part of the Rs 500-crore Tamil Nadu Semiconductor Mission 2030 (TNSM 2030), announced in the state Budget 2025, the government has sanctioned the Semiconductor Design Promotion Scheme. The initiative will provide targeted subsidies and prototyping grants to fabless design firms. Centres of Excellence to drive research and training Complementing the scheme is the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), through public-private partnerships. These centres will anchor research, testing and training, helping the state emerge as a hub for design-led innovation in the semiconductor sector. The state will also roll out a workforce development programme to train 1,000 engineering students through platforms such as the India Semiconductor Workforce Development Programme (ISWDP), while sponsoring select candidates to premier institutions in India and abroad. 'Introducing the Semiconductor Design Promotion Scheme and launching Centres of Excellence through public-private partnerships are a testament to our commitment to building a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem in the state. With targeted subsidies and prototyping grants, we are giving fabless design firms the early-stage support they need to succeed,' said TRB Rajaa, Tamil Nadu's industries minister. 'The Centres of Excellence will anchor cutting-edge research, foster collaboration between industry and academia, and nurture the next generation of chip designers. These initiatives are also about realising our larger ambition of 'Product Nation TN'. By supporting design-led innovation and enabling home-grown IP, we are laying the foundation for Tamil Nadu to become a global hub for tech products and solutions,' Rajaa added. Mission 2030 based on five pillars TNSM 2030 is driven by the principles of self-reliance, sustainability and inclusive development. It aims to catalyse investment, build skilled talent, create world-class infrastructure and strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and the government. The mission will rest on five pillars: the Semiconductor Design Promotion Scheme; design and testing infrastructure; Centres of Excellence to be set up as for-profit special purpose vehicles in partnership with academia or industry; semiconductor equipment manufacturing parks; and a small-scale production-grade fab along with skilling and talent development. A blueprint for a complete semiconductor ecosystem 'The various components of the Tamil Nadu Semiconductor Mission 2030 offer a clear blueprint for a complete ecosystem. By combining subsidies for design firms, co-investments in infrastructure and parks, enabling a pilot fabrication facility and an integrated skilling programme, we are creating a self-sustaining semiconductor value chain that will draw investment, create jobs and foster innovation across Tamil Nadu,' said V Arun Roy, industries secretary, Tamil Nadu. Focus on four strategic priorities TNSM 2030 will focus on four strategic priorities to build a future-ready ecosystem. First, it will promote fabless companies engaged in chip design, testing and packaging. Second, it will support the development of semiconductor machinery manufacturing. Third, it will invest in research and innovation to drive breakthroughs and position Tamil Nadu as a hub for semiconductor R&D. Finally, it will create a skilled workforce aligned with global and domestic industry needs, ensuring a talent pipeline for long-term growth. The state is developing semiconductor equipment manufacturing parks in Sulur and Palladam in Coimbatore, each spread across 100 acres. These parks aim to promote the development of advanced machinery and tools essential for the semiconductor sector. The government has also announced the 'School of Semiconductor' initiative, enabling the setting up of a small-scale production-grade fab in partnership with IIT, private players and industry associations. The fab will serve as an R&D and prototyping facility. At this centre, over 4,500 technicians will be upskilled in fabrication, testing and packaging functions.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Indian Parents' Reaction To First Driverless Car Ride In San Francisco Goes Viral
Last Updated: The Indian woman recorded the moment and shared it on social media to show how excited her family was. Driverless cars have been getting all the attention across the United States, with Waymo emerging as a frontrunner in the space. Many have shared their excitement about riding in a taxi without a driver. Recently, an Indian woman in San Francisco gave her parents a truly unique experience in an autonomous car. She recorded the moment and shared it on social media to show how excited she was to introduce her family to this new technology. Seated in the back, the parents are seen beaming with joy as they enjoy every moment of the ride. In the video, the content creator can be heard expressing her own excitement about the experience. She revealed that their first ride in the driverless car lasted just 15 minutes. Delighted by the novelty, the family immediately booked another ride to extend the experience. Taking to Instagram, the woman wrote, 'Took my parents for a ride in a Waymo, a driverless car in San Francisco and wow, what an experience. It felt safe, smooth and honestly more trustworthy than a manual driver. Our first 15-minute ride wasn't enough, so we booked another one right after. My parents had a lot to say about the whole thing." Waymo Responds To The Viral Video Soon after the clip went viral on social media, Waymo, the driverless taxi service, reacted to the family's joyful experience with a heartwarming reply: 'A generational trip." Reacting to the post, a user wrote, 'They must be absolutely thrilled with this experience." When a person asked, 'So fun. What was their reaction?" another replied, 'They said I drive better." An individual jokingly stated, 'The car is possessed." One more added, 'So awesome and so sweet." For years, people have envisioned driverless cars as a part of the future, often imagining them in science fiction stories, vintage sketches, and popular TV shows or movies. Today, cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta already have autonomous vehicles operating on their streets. Tesla also offers an autopilot feature in its cars, allowing the vehicle to steer, accelerate, and brake on its own, without the driver needing to hold the wheel or press the pedals. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
