Vikram-1 Launch Success: A Testament to India's Space Sector Public-Private Partnership, Says ISRO Chief
The successful launch of Vikram-1 by Skyroot Aerospace underscores the strength of India's public-private partnership in the space sector and the continued support from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to the emerging commercial ecosystem, ISRO Chairperson V. Narayanan said on Thursday.
Delivering the convocation address at the 14th convocation of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) at Valiamala, Dr. Narayanan described the space sector reforms in India as a 'transformational milestone' that has opened unprecedented opportunities for private participation.
Dr. Narayanan highlighted India's global leadership in several critical areas of space operations, citing achievements such as the discovery of water-related evidence on the Moon and the historic soft landing near the lunar south pole through the Chandrayaan mission.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the chief guest, said that modern education should not create followers but individuals capable of mastering themselves and becoming leaders. He told the students that even space is no longer the limit for their aspirations, and that India's growing capabilities across science, technology, and national security have transformed global perceptions of the country. The Governor credited the nation's scientists and engineers for these achievements and called upon the IIST graduates to contribute meaningfully towards the vision of Viksit Bharat.
A total of 332 degrees were awarded, including 129 Bachelor of Technology (BTech), 23 Dual Degree (BTech-MTech/MS), 146 Master of Technology (MTech) and Master of Science (MS), and 34 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees across various academic departments.
B.N. Suresh, Chancellor of IIST, presided over the function. Among those present were U.P. Rajeev, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre; N. Jayan, Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC); and IIST Vice-Chancellor Dipankar Banerjee, who presented the annual report.
