THE ISRO MODEL
Business Today India|October 15, 2023
FIFTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD ISRO IS NOT ONLY THE WORLD'S MOST COST-EFFECTIVE AGENCY BUT IT IS ALSO FAST PROVING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL INCUBATORS OF PRIVATE SPACE FIRMS
MANISH PANT
THE ISRO MODEL

FROM CARRYING ROCKET CONES on bicycles and ferrying satellites on bullock carts to successfully sending an orbiter to Mars in the first attempt to making India the first spacefaring nation to land near the moon’s South Pole—the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the world’s sixth-largest space agency, has come a long way indeed.

In the process, the national space agency has even managed to disrupt the world of space exploration. For instance, the Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan missions were achieved on shoestring budgets of $73 million and $75 million, respectively, lesser than the money spent on making Hollywood science fiction blockbusters Gravity ($100 million) and The Martian ($108 million).

But as is evident, Isro’s frugality has its roots in its very humble origins. Just like the iconic global brands Apple and Microsoft, Vikram Sarabhai—widely hailed as the father of India’s space programme—started a small space lab in the garage of his Ahmedabad residence. Starting out as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), Isro formally came into being on August 15, 1969.

Fifty-four years later, Isro is fast evolving into an agency that is enabling the creation of one of the world’s biggest spacetech ecosystems. It has incubated and nurtured firms over those years to a point where the sector has reached critical mass and can boast of over 400 companies that are now looking to strike out on their own in activities like launch services, satellite communications, and space tourism.

THE ISRO STORY 

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TODAY INDIAView all
The EV Craze
Business Today India

The EV Craze

The country’s growing luxury car market is seeing a shift with environmentally-conscious consumers betting on electric vehicles as a sustainable travel option. Though just 6%, the share of EVs in the luxury segment is rising rapidly

time-read
5 mins  |
November 10, 2024
The Storage Boom
Business Today India

The Storage Boom

Data centres are being built at a frenetic pace in india as companies scramble to meet the ballooning demand from mobile phone users and firms adopting al. Can the country’s energy infrastructure keep up?

time-read
8 mins  |
November 10, 2024
India Beckons
Business Today India

India Beckons

Owing to rising incomes in India and overall wealth expansion, luxury brands are wooing the country like never before

time-read
4 mins  |
November 10, 2024
The Pearls of The Sea
Business Today India

The Pearls of The Sea

Caviar, that rare food, is considered the epitome of fine dining. Here is everything that you need to know about it

time-read
4 mins  |
November 10, 2024
66.Brand persona should define the core"
Business Today India

66.Brand persona should define the core"

I’d say this was a strategic pivot. We had an iconic brand, but had, over time, evolved into diversified lines of businesses that could no longer be represented within the confines of our ‘name’.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Unwind in Style
Business Today India

Unwind in Style

Here is acomprehensive list of top tech picks that help you unwind by blending perfection in performance with luxury

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
A Lifelong Affair with Inspiration
Business Today India

A Lifelong Affair with Inspiration

In my art journey, the diversity of my acquisitions mirrored the expanding horizons of my understanding of art

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Make it Bubbly
Business Today India

Make it Bubbly

Champagne is much more than just a symbol of celebration and success. Know about its nuances beyond the bubbles

time-read
4 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Palatial Splendour
Business Today India

Palatial Splendour

Buoyed by renewed demand, sales of the glitzy mansions of the ultra-rich are surging like never before. Real estate majors are looking to capitalise on this by launching luxury offerings in record numbers

time-read
7 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Of Beaches and Cream
Business Today India

Of Beaches and Cream

GianChand Single Malt Whisky

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024