PM Modi calls for self-reliance in space sector; industry sees growth ahead

Time of India

16 hours ago

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, said India is working towards becoming self-reliant in the space sector and preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, its indigenous human space flight mission."India is actively working on the Gaganyaan mission and is also planning its own space station. We must come together to change the destiny of our country. I appeal to the youth: step forward and contribute to this mission of national transformation," Modi said from the Red Fort on Friday.The Gaganyaan mission will send a crew of three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission in 2027. Modi also congratulated astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The PM highlighted the impact of space sector reforms , with about 300 startups working exclusively in the space domain, employing thousands of young professionals.Industry leaders welcomed the remarks, saying the momentum could help achieve the target of a $44 billion space economy by 2033.Former ISRO chairman S Somanath, who spearheaded the 2023 space reforms through the Indian Space Policy, told ET that PM Modi 's comments underline how the sector is 'not just creating jobs and economic value but also promoting the scientific temper.' He said ISRO, IN-SPACe , and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) are working in unison with startups to expand both domestic and global markets.On India's plan to build its own Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035, Somanath said the project, using indigenous technology, would promote global scientific partnerships and serve as a space laboratory for hi-tech, biotechnology, drug discovery, and materials research.'Without the credibility of an indigenous human space mission, meaningful contributions to other space stations may not be possible. The BAS will complement the entire ecosystem, with opportunities for collaboration with other nations,' he said.Industry body, the Indian Space Association (ISpA), said the plan to open up India's space sector has been a true game-changer. 'Backed by progressive reforms such as the Space Policy, liberal foreign direct investment push, and strong government support, the industry has grown multifold in just five years,' added Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (retd.), Director General, ISpA.Krishanu Acharya, cofounder of Suhora Technologies, which works in earth observation and geospatial analytics, said the PM's remarks will further empower the industry to innovate across the value chain from satellite manufacturing and launches to downstream services.