ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan wants the private space technology companies to take a greater role as the India space research agency will now focus on only the high-end space research, and leave routine jobs like manufacturing rockets to the private sector.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 3rd Bangalore Space Expo on Wednesday, Radhakrishnan said that operational launch vehicles like the PSLVs and GSLVs could be produced by private sector space companies so that manpower at the ISRO could concentrate on more challenging, futuristic activities.

Speaking on the topic, he said, “ISRO would like to sit on one side and look at Indian Space Industry Consortia take leadership in niche areas of operational and launch vehicle systems.”

Pointing to the increasing contribution of space etchnology industry, he said that there were just six firms that were working with ISRO, but currently there are more than 500 companies that are working on ISRO's projects.

He added that around 60 per cent of ISRO’s budget for space research now goes to the industry. Speaking about the recent successful PSLV C21 launch, he further added that 80 per cent of the value addition in PSLV was done by the Indian private space industry.

Radhakrishnan urged the Indian space industry to mull over various models, such as partnerships, joint ventures, investment pattern, and also discuss risks in space ventures and issues on shared responsibility.