What Happened
Building National Capability Beyond Occasional Successes
India’s space ambitions require more than occasional successes in launching satellites and undertaking complex missions. The country needs to build a reliable launch capacity, cadence, and resilience to serve its scientific, strategic, and commercial needs. Isro has made significant progress, but the private sector must supplement its efforts to create a sustainable ecosystem. Recent developments, including private investment and launches, are encouraging, but the sector needs to deliver reliable products, win customers, and build intellectual property. As reported by The Times of India, India’s space program is at a critical juncture, where it must decide what capabilities are too important to leave entirely to others.