'No New Launches': Ex-ISRO Scientist MC Dathan Reveals Why Young Talent Is Resigning, Cites Demoralisation

Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist and former director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) M C Dathan recently revealed that an order from higher government authorities has halted fresh launches in India’s largest public space organisation.

While speaking at a recent Pensioners’ programme held by the ISRO Pensioners’ Association this month, the former scientist said after two unfortunate failures, the government allegedly stopped fresh launches, causing an exodus of young talent from the organisation. When ISRO was identifying the faults and resolving them while preparations for the next experiment were on, such a move demotivated the scientists, which he called ‘harassment’.

Read Also: California Rejects SpaceX’s Rocket Launch Proposal Citing Elon Musk’s Politics: Musk Reacts

Noting that launches are usually decided by the ISRO Chairman and do not require government order or permission, M C Dathan said a hold came in between for the first time, halting permission for several other rocket launches, which was ‘disheartening’ for ISRO staffers.

Notably, amid the halt in launches, a small private rocket was brought to the launch, and was given maximum publicity, which was further “heartbreaking,” according to Dathan. He further pointed out that the same rocket was built by copying ISRO’s own designs while making small changes in between. ‘The private company then hired our retired experts by paying higher remuneration to check whether any error or correction was required in the new copied rocket,’ he highlighted, adding that the ISRO scientists are watching all this.

Read Also: ISRO Reveals Mangalyaan-2 Plans; Aims To Be The Third Country To Land Spacecraft On Moon

Moreover, the vendors that ISRO researched and developed for over 50 years were given free to these private firms. ISRO vendors are the public sector undertakings, private system integrators, MSMEs, and specialized engineering firms that supply raw materials, precision components, propulsion systems, electronics, and ground infrastructure for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s missions.

Dathan lamented that all the systems, components, devices, formulations, chemicals used in propellants and many other products that ISRO had trained and was in contract with, were given free to the private firms.