ISRO to handle projects of security, advanced technology

The India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has said it would be in charge of projects linked to “national security and advanced technology” — like the forthcoming Chandrayaan2 missions and the Gaganyaan mission, that plans to send Indian cosmonauts into space. However, the bulk of commercial activities would increasingly be handled by the newly formed New Space India Limited. The comments were in response to a query by the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, led by Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on whether the NSIL would “replace” ISRO.