By Venkatachari Jagannathan Chennai, Nov 24, : , Officials of the Indian Space Agency are worried about shifting its human space mission center and headquarters of the private sector space regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.
IANS spoke on condition of anonymity to former and serving senior officials of Indian Space Research Organisation, (ISRO) who said that there was speculation about shifting Bengaluru’s human space mission centre and finding the IN-SPACe headquarters either in Delhi or in the Gift City in Gujarat.
There are strong rumours that the IN-SPACe headquarters and the human space mission center in Gujarat might be located in Delhi.A source said that K.Sivan, the incumbent ISRO Chairman, Secretary, Department of Space, might be granted a six-month extension of his service,” IANS reported.
Sivan’s term ends in January 2022.
IANS was told by a senior official that the speculation about shifting the human space mission center is not surprising.Already, the Human Space Flight Centre is operating in Bengaluru, where the ISRO is headquartered.
“These rumours, speculations, and rumors have been circulating across the ISRO for the past two weeks.However, no official clarification has been given to IANS,” another official said.
The ISRO will be responsible for research and development in space, while NewSpace India Ltd will manufacture and own the satellites and rockets.It will also be able to place orders for satellite launches.
IANS was informed by another space scientist that “the Department of Space can also move to Delhi from Bengaluru”.
G.R.Pramod, General Secretary of ISRO Staff Association, told IANS that there is uncertainty about the future for approximately 17,300 ISRO employees.
He demanded that the ISRO top management openly address employee concerns as soon as possible.
Officials claim that the uncertainty in the minds ISRO officials is caused by the communication from government to freeze all recruitments while sectoral reforms are underway.
This allows the private sector to launch satellites and rockets.
IANS was also informed by ISRO officials that promotions for certain categories had been held back for the past two year.
Recently, the promotion exercise for some was completed.
“Further, the number of rocket launches from India this year dropped dramatically to just two from six to seven per year on average.” An official stated that one mission was critical for the country and that two had failed.
Sivan, however, sought to discredit the speculations and rumours.He told IANS: “INSPACe is scouting a suitable site and have visited several places.”
He stated that he had no idea of shifting the human space mission center out of Bengaluru.We are currently working from the ISRO-owned centre.
Sivan answered a question about the delay in testing the solid fuel motor for its small rocket, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
He said that the insulations for the solid engine casing must be naturally cured.Because of the humid and rainy conditions, such curing was impossible and is being delayed.
He stated that the solid fuel motors were at the rocket port but the other stages and equipment must come from other locations.We don’t want the equipment to be damaged by rains.Launch takes a little longer.The satellite is in good condition.”
(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
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