Why India’s Space Fans Want ISRO to Step Up Its Public Outreach

In July 2025, the hashtag #ISROFixYourPR began trending across Indian social media, sparking a national conversation on how the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO) communicates with the public. Sparked by science communicators and space enthusiasts, the trend calls for ISRO to move beyond its traditionally modest outreach and embrace a more transparent, engaging, and celebratory approach to its achievements and missions

What Sparked the Trend?

The immediate trigger was a string of recent high-profile space missions in which ISROʼs communication appeared subdued compared to global peers. For instance, India sent Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission, marking a proud national milestone.

However, much of the publicity and storytelling for this mission came from NASA, Axiom Space, and official government handles, while ISROʼs own updates were mostly limited to reposting others and sparse details on its official platform .

This pattern repeated with the highly anticipated NASA,ISRO SAR (NISAR) satellite, where the American side held detailed briefings, infographics, and interactions, while ISROʼs contributions to public engagement were noticeably modest.

Lack of Consistent Storytelling

ISRO rarely offers narrative-driven updates, behind-the-scenes features, or direct scientist engagement with the public.

• Slow Information Release: Updates about new missions often reach the public via government press releases or third-party news, rather than directly through ISRO platforms.

• Missed Engagement Opportunities: The agency seldom conducts interactive Q&A sessions, educational live streams, or in-depth explainer content commonly seen with agencies like NASA or ESA.

Minimal Response to Misinformation: Occasional misattributed statements or rumors generate confusion, and clarity is often only provided after prolonged silence or limited media outreach

Netizen Reacts :

Voices from the Science Community
Science communicators, independent space update channels, and engineers have amplified the trend. Their key demands echo this sentiment:

“A kid growing in India learns about NASA before it does ISRO because NASA puts so much effort into taking its work to its citizens and the public, from the smallest of things to the biggest.”

– Gareeb Scientist, science communicator

Ex-ISRO staff and space technology experts have also weighed in. Radha Krishna Kavuluru, a former ISRO scientist, noted:

“Keeping everything behind walls is a tradition of the Soviets. I am sure we are well past that age. Time to inspire and talk the walk”

ISRO’s Response—and Where It Falls Short

ISROʼs official position is that it has improved its PR in recent years. A senior scientist acknowledged the progress, but candidly admitted ISRO still lags behind global peers, noting some secrecy remains necessary for sensitive project .

When faced with recent media misreports about a new space facility, ISRO issued a rare public clarification urging citizens to rely on official outlets for verified information—a move many saw as an example of its reactive and defensive PR approach

Why Does This Matter?

India's space program is entering a golden age, with landmark missions including human spaceflight tests, advanced earth observation satellites, and a rapidly growing global commercial presence. The public wants not just news of launches, but:

• Stories about the people behind missions.

• Access to educational resources and public data.

• Platforms for genuine engagement and questions.

• Celebrations befitting globally competitive achievements.
  
  

Conclusion

The #ISROFixYourPR trend is a wake-up call, not a condemnation. India’s space community is eager to celebrate, support, and amplify ISRO’s work. With the world watching and the nation bursting with pride, the time is right for ISRO to lift the veil and share more of its cosmic story