In a recent talk at IIT Delhi, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath praised Elon Musk for his remarkable contributions to the space industry. His words highlighted how Musk’s innovative approach with SpaceX is inspiring space agencies worldwide, including ISRO.
“The person there in the US, Elon Musk, is making heads turn with the type of rockets that he has captured with the chopsticks recently,” he said, referencing SpaceX’s innovative technique of catching rocket boosters with mechanical arms.
#WATCH | At IIT Delhi, ISRO chief S Somanath says, “…The person there in the US, Elon Musk, is making, heads turn with the type of rockets that he has captured with the chopsticks recently and people are asking when ISRO is going to do this… Everyone is looking at Elon Musk,… pic.twitter.com/g4Yc2ZvAQ6
— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2024
He continued, “Everyone is looking at Elon Musk, what he is doing there and how we can come up with some fantastic idea that we can beat him. Of course, everybody wants to beat him, but he is above all of that. I think he is such a great man doing fantastic work.”
Making Space Exploration Exciting Again
The ISRO chief pointed out how Musk’s work is making space exploration exciting again, especially for young people. “It is because of this that space is becoming very attractive today. Young people are looking at it with great passion,” he noted.
Somanath emphasized the expanding role of space technology in various sectors. “We are looking at it in a manner in which the technology is becoming accessible to people… The application domain is growing. Also, its impact on the economy, employability, and job creation is growing,” he explained.
Opening Up the Space Sector
He discussed the Indian government’s efforts to open up the space industry. “That’s why the government has recently taken the initiative to open up the space sector, bringing in more private investment and private participation,” Somanath said. This move aims to foster innovation and make space technology more accessible.
Balancing Regulation and Innovation
While acknowledging the need for some control, he stressed that over-regulation could hinder progress. “It’s a domain that cannot be kept controlled and regulated. Of course, there is some knowledge that needs to be controlled and regulated, but the application domains, doing work, creating value in this have to get out of those vaults that have been covering the space systems,” he stated.
