Mint Quick Edit | Space crew: Isro’s losses of talent could turn out to be the private sector’s gains
While a spate of resignations at Isro may furrow eyebrows in New Delhi, if it means scientists are being lured by private players, it’s good news. India’s industry must catch up with the world’s most advanced—for which we need competition as a catalyst.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has reportedly seen a wave of resignations by scientists, prompting the government to tighten retirement and exit rules at the state-run agency. Reports suggest more than 100 employees have put in their papers lately.
Their reasons are not known, but since the space sector was thrown open to private players in 2020, it shouldn’t surprise us if Isro staffers are being drawn away as well-paying startups get ambitious. If so, this churn of talent may eventually serve the country well.
Isro will always attract people who want to be part of its missions or are motivated by a national cause. Its chief has reportedly said its programmes are not affected by departures. If Isro-trained folks help private companies innovate, that’s welcome.
SpaceX’s success with reusable rockets in the US shows how private firms can outdo state-run agencies. In China, government efforts have helped it test a reusable rocket of its own, but it too has private businesses in this race.
Given how this technology reduces the cost of payload haulage into space, India must get its own act together. And it takes multiple competitors for an innovation-driven industry to thrive.
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