New Delhi, August 28, 2023 – In the wake of the triumphant Chandrayaan-3 mission, which marked a significant milestone with its successful landing on the moon’s south pole, former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan has offered a candid perspective on the challenges of funding and collaboration within India’s space research landscape.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, renowned former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan opened up about the collaboration between ISRO and the Administrative Control Project (ACP), shedding light on its origins and the challenges faced due to funding constraints.
Narayanan delved into the origins of the ISRO-ACP collaboration and the underlying funding constraints that have driven such partnerships. His insights provide a unique window into the complexities faced by India’s space agency in its pursuit of excellence, laying bare the pragmatic realities that have shaped its journey toward becoming a global space powerhouse.
Speaking exclusively to Indian News Today, Narayanan stated,
If you look at the ISRO-ACP collaboration, if we have the required funding, why should we go for that collaboration? The collaboration itself started because of a lack of financial resources. Many people misunderstand the situation and view it politically. But the hard truth is that we didn’t have the necessary funding.
— Nambi Narayanan
Narayanan, who has played a pivotal role in various ISRO projects, including the development of the liquid propulsion system, shared his personal experience of the challenges caused by insufficient funding. He stated,
My project on the liquid propulsion system suffered due to a lack of funding. Despite the chairman of ISRO being supportive of allocating funds for this project, the necessary funds couldn’t be secured.
— Nambi Narayanan
The scientist emphasized that he does not hold any specific government accountable for the funding issues faced by ISRO. He explained,
I don’t blame any government for this situation. It’s a complex matter, and the lack of funds was a constraint that affected multiple projects. The ISRO-ACP collaboration was initiated as a means to overcome these financial limitations.
— Nambi Narayanan
The ISRO-ACP collaboration, which has led to significant advancements in space research and technology, emerged as a strategic partnership to pool resources and expertise in various projects.
Narayanan highlighted the pivotal role that this collaboration has played in achieving ISRO’s remarkable feats. However, he reiterated that a substantial budgetary allocation is essential to ensure the independent growth of ISRO’s capabilities.
Narayanan’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the pragmatic realities faced by India’s space agency during its journey to becoming a global space power. As India continues to make strides in space exploration and technology, the importance of sustained funding becomes even more evident.
Nambi Narayanan’s revelations shed light on the historical context behind the ISRO-ACP collaboration and underscore the significance of providing consistent financial support to maintain and enhance the country’s space capabilities.
With India’s aspirations reaching new heights in the space domain, addressing funding challenges could potentially unlock even more remarkable achievements on the horizon.
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