Communication satellites on embargo list is good, Isro will help private sector: Sivan

BENGALURU: Isro chairman Sivan K on Thursday said he was happy that the Centre has put communication satellites on the import embargo list and said that along with the private sector India will now move towards self-reliance.
"...I am very happy. We are going to depend more and more on ourselves now. With 5G services and other developments, there is a large scale demand for communication satellites in the immediate future. This is a huge opportunity for Isro, NSIL and private sector. The private sector must get into this business, there’s a lot of potential," Sivan said.
He added that start-ups have initiated a lot of activity in the small satellite space. Some start-ups will launch launch vehicles soon.
"Some start-ups will launch launch vehicle very soon. They are talking with us. Isro will ensure support for your support. I hope you make use of this opportunity in the right earnest," he said.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra, while quoting Sivan from an earlier interview where he said Isro would need to be expanded 10-times its present size to meet the current demand, said: “...This, to me, is more exciting than sending astronauts to space.”
Mahindra also spoke about the need for clear guidelines that will help the private sector and Isro together leverage the window of opportunity.