India's space sector stands at a crossroads. There's push for more launches and greater private sector involvement. Former ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said India must move beyond just showcasing technology. He spoke at a symposium in Hyderabad,stressing the need for larger satellite constellations to drive future advancements .
At event, “The Day the Sky Goes Dark: Warfare in the Age of Satellite Dependence,” Kumar noted that while India’s tech achievements are impressive,the focus needs to shift to capacity and volume. He called for a bigger role for private players, stating,“There is significant scope and an urgent need for greater industry participation.”
Former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy agreed, pointing to ongoing collaboration with the private sector to boost capabilities in systems and sub-systems. Reddy highlighted India's rise as a weapons exporter, saying,“India’s technology standing is ahead of where most people think it is.”
Subba Rao Pavuluri,Chairman and Managing Director of Ananth Technologies,emphasized the need for consistent orders and capital investment . He argued satellites should be part of weapon systems,not just standalone assets . “The ecosystem is already present. What is required now is steady orders and meaningful capital infusion,” he said.
Ronak Kumar Samantray,founder of TakeMe2Space,pointed out the need for scalable launch capabilities. He warned against relying too much on ISRO and SpaceX for launching Indian-built satellites. “The race belongs to those who can sustain launch cadence,” he stated.
Discussions at the symposium revealed a key theme: India has made strides in space tech, but it must enhance capacity. Participants urged for policy support,procurement reforms, and better launch infrastructure to drive growth. Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari (Retd.),former Chief of Air Staff, contributed to the conversation .
Among the notable attendees was Iniya Pragati,a 13-year-old commercial astronaut candidate and India’s youngest analogue astronaut. Senior officials like Jayesh Ranjan, Girish Mallpani,and former IPS officer Goutam Sawang also joined in . Their insights reflect a growing consensus on the need for a more dynamic and integrated space sector in India.
