SRIHARIKOTA: With 70% of the control systems on the PSLV-C30 having come from private industries, Isro’s goal of having an industry-built launch vehicle has come closer to realization. Isro has been talking about this for more than half a decade now.

“At any PSLV launch now more than 150 industries, big and small contribute to the vehicle. Some of the key contributors have been L&T, Godrej among others,” Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director K Sivan said. He added that defence PSU HAL also contributes to Isro.

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Isro chairman AS Kiran Kumar said: “In the next 4-5 years we will see a launch vehicle that is built by the industry. We also want them to be able to assemble it and launch.”

While this is encouraging for the industry, which is already gaining a lot of exposure, a senior scientist said: “We are also looking at our industry contributing systems to foreign vehicles in the future like many of the US industries do.”

He said continuous co-operation with Isro would give the industry the confidence it needs and the learning to supply to the world.

However, speaking to TOI on what kind of role the industry can play in the future, senior scientist M Annadurai said: “We are very encouraged with their ability and commitment. But one must understand that not everything will go to the private sector.”

Quoting PSLV’s example, he said: “This platform, for example, has put satellites in so many orbits, including launching the Mars mission. It is capable of doing this because of complex systems that are configured specifically for each mission. So, what Isro will want to retain with itself is this advantage.”

“The brain of the system will not be made by the industry, that will always remain with Isro,” he said.

