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News18
2 days ago
- Science
- News18
Opinion: India's Space Odyssey Under PM Narendra Modi
Last Updated: India's space missions symbolise our determination to push boundaries and be at the forefront of space exploration India's space programme achieved a historic milestone with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's participation in Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), marking a significant step in the nation's human spaceflight journey. Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilot, became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma. This achievement, 41 years after Sharma's flight, underscores India's growing prowess in space exploration and its strategic use of international partnerships to advance its ambitions, under the aegis of the Modi government. Selected as one of the four astronauts for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first indigenous human spaceflight programme, Shukla underwent rigorous training at Russia's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. During his 18-day stay on the ISS, Shukla conducted over 60 scientific experiments, including seven designated by ISRO. A key experiment, Myogenesis, conducted at the Life Sciences Glovebox, explored skeletal muscle degradation in microgravity, aiming to develop therapies for astronauts and patients with muscle-degenerative diseases on Earth. These experiments will bolster India's microgravity research ecosystem, enhancing its scientific capabilities. Shukla also engaged in public outreach, including a live videoconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ham radio sessions with students, inspiring the next generation to pursue STEM fields. For India, Ax-4 was a strategic step toward the Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit using indigenous technology. The Ax-4 mission, costing approximately Rs 548 crore, solidified India's position as an emerging space power, inspiring millions and paving the way for future endeavors, including a planned space station by 2035 and a lunar mission by 2040. Remember, even before the Axiom mission, India witnessed history being created on August 23, 2023, as part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. With the soft landing on the lunar south pole, on the dark side of the moon, India became the 1st country to land on the lunar south pole and only the 4th country in the world, after the United States, Russia, and China, to have achieved the magnificent feat of landing on the moon. India's Space economy is expected to be worth over $13 billion by 2025, endorsing PM Modi's ambitious Space-oriented plans. The Chandrayaan-2 mission cost India Rs 978 crore. But the Chandrayaan-3 project cost was much lower at Rs 615 crore. Again, India's first solar mission, Aditya-L1, came at a cost of merely Rs 378 crore, to study the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona). In 2017, ISRO launched a record 104 satellites aboard PSLV-C37 from Sriharikota, of which 101 belonged to international customers, signifying India's increasing presence in the global Space industry. There was a time when India was denied cryogenic rocket technology. But the scientists of India not only developed indigenous technology but today with its help, dozens of satellites are being sent to Space simultaneously. Space, the final frontier, has captivated our imagination since time immemorial. The call of the cosmos and the curiosity to know more about our origin, is the driving force for Space explorations. But venturing into Space is costly and dangerous. India's Chandrayaan-2 mission encountered a setback in 2019 when the lander Vikram failed to achieve a soft landing on the moon's surface. However, from this failure, India learned valuable lessons. PM Modi did not flinch even for a moment and like a true leader, he stood in solidarity with India's scientific community. The Chandrayaan-2 mission served as a catalyst for innovation, prompting the scientific community to analyse and rectify the challenges faced. In fact, it is the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 which has been providing key inputs in real-time, to help its successor Chandrayaan-3 which eventually made a flawless landing on the moon on August 23, 2023. Indian Space forays under the Modi government are helping in sectors such as agriculture, railways, smart cities, water-mapping, robotic surgery and defence. PM Modi's unwavering support for ISRO and his endorsement of cost-effective Space missions aligns with the nation's ethos of frugality, allowing India to achieve remarkable feats without burdening its economy. Moreover, Modi's emphasis on the practical applications of Space technology in agriculture, disaster management and national security underscore his commitment to harnessing Space capabilities for the betterment of Indian society. India's space missions symbolise our determination to push boundaries and be at the forefront of space exploration. ISRO operates on a modest budget; the Mars orbiter, Mangalyaan, for example, had a price tag of just $75 million, less than the cost of an average Hollywood blockbuster like say Interstellar which had a far higher budget of $165 million. As India continues its journey into the unknown, exploring the moon and beyond, it inspires and instills hope for a brighter future. Well, India's tryst with the dark side of the moon showcases how a leap of faith is sometimes, all that it takes to leapfrog a million years ahead. India has launched about 557 satellites, including 431 foreign satellites for 34 countries as of July 30, 2023, primarily through ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), formerly Antrix. This includes a record-breaking launch of 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017, with 101 being foreign satellites. Total satellites launched under the aegis of PM Modi are 450, both Indian and foreign. Out of the 431 foreign satellites launched by India until 2023, over 389 were launched between 2014 and 2023 itself, endorsing that a significant portion of foreign launches occurred under Modi's leadership. ISRO, for instance, conducted 58 launch vehicle missions between 2014 and 2025, a 38% increase from the 42 missions before 2014. Clearly, India's Space Odyssey under the Modi government is set to conquer many milestones, with the just concluded Axiom Mission 4, being just the tip of the iceberg. Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP, and Bestselling Author of 'The Modi Gambit'. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indian Cabinet welcomes Group Captain Shukla's return from space, lauds PM Modi's visionary leadership
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday (July 16) accorded a heartfelt welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his safe return from the International Space Station on Tuesday (July 15). 'This is a moment of pride, glory and joy for the entire nation. The Cabinet joins the nation in celebrating the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Earth, following the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station,' said the resolution adopted at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. This marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey as Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. The Cabinet applauds the visionary and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, whose strategic foresight, unwavering belief in India's space potential, and consistent guidance have enabled the country to chart new frontiers and emerge as a leader among space faring nations. 'The Cabinet also recalls with pride India's recent landmark achievements, including the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the South Pole of the Moon on 23rd August 2023, a day etched in history as India's National Space Day. Likewise, India's Aditya-L1 Mission launched in 2023 has significantly enhanced humanity's understanding of solar activity. These feats reflect the spirit of scientific excellence and national self-reliance,' said the resolution. Earlier, welcoming Shukla on his return, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday said, 'I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India's first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.' Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's 18-day mission aboard the ISS was part of the Axiom-4 crew. He conducted pioneering experiments in microgravity on subjects like muscle regeneration, algal growth, and crop viability. The mission elevates India's global standing in space exploration and is a stepping stone towards India's human spaceflight ambitions like Gaganyaan. The Cabinet commends the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and scientists for their efforts. The mission reflects India's growing leadership in international space cooperation. It inspires a new generation of Indians to pursue careers in science and innovation. - The Statesman/ANN
News18
3 days ago
- Science
- News18
From Aryabhata To Gaganyaan: A Timeline Of ISRO's Key Milestones In PICS
1/10 1975: ISRO launched its first satellite, Aryabhatta, making India's entry into space exploration. (Image: ISRO) 1980: The space organisation successfully launched the SLV-3, making India the seventh country to achieve orbital launches. (Image: X) 1982: It launched INSAT-1A, the first satellite in the Indian National Satellite System. (Image: X) 1994: The year marks the successful launch of IRS-P2 using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). (Image: X) 2008: India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 was successfully launched. It discovered water molecule in the moon. (Image: X) 2013: India became the first country to reach Mars with the successful launch of Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission). ISRO was the fourth space agency globally to do so. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) 2019: ISRO launched Chandrayaan-2 to land near the southern pole of the Moon; however, the lander lost contact during descent. (File Pic) 2023: Successfully launched Chandrayaan-3, achieving a soft landing on the Moon's south pole on August 23, 2023. The mission made India the first country to achieve a soft landing in that region. (Image: X) 2023: Just weeks after Chandrayaan-3, ISRO launched Aditya-L1 on September 2, 2023. It is India's first space-based solar observatory designed to study the outer atmosphere of the Sun, specifically its corona. (File Pic)
United News of India
4 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
‘New chapter' in India's space journey: Cabinet hails Shukla's return from ISS
New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed the successful completion of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), describing his return as the dawn of a 'new chapter' in India's space journey. It passed a resolution commending Shukla's pioneering achievement and asserting that the mission symbolized India's infinite aspirations and emerging global leadership in space exploration. 'The Cabinet joins the nation in celebrating the safe return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Earth after his historic 18-day mission aboard the ISS,' said Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while reading out the resolution at a press conference here. The resolution further credited Prime Minister Modi for his strategic foresight in steering India's space ambitions and emphasized his unwavering belief in India's potential to become a dominant force among spacefaring nations. Shukla's mission, which concluded on July 15 has been described as a source of pride, glory, and joy for the entire nation. It has been hailed as a crucial step towards India's own human spaceflight aspirations, including the ambitious Gaganyaan mission and the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station. 'This successful mission elevates India's global standing in space exploration and reinforces the nation's resolve to be at the forefront of human space exploration,' the Cabinet resolution noted. The Cabinet also highlighted other recent milestones, including the historic Chandrayaan-3 landing near the South Pole of the Moon on August 23, 2023. The government's sustained reforms in the space sector, it was noted, have unleashed unprecedented growth in India's space economy. The resolution further mentioned the emergence of nearly 300 new start-ups in the space sector, leading to massive job creation and fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. 'The Cabinet reaffirms its commitment to the Prime Minister's vision of building a Viksit Bharat — a Developed India — by 2047, with this space mission serving as a catalyst for national progress,' the resolution noted. UNI AJ PRS
India Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
India gets Rs 2.54 back for every rupee invested in Isro: Former chief S Somnath
India's space programme is delivering an impressive economic return, with every rupee invested in the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) generating Rs 2.54 in value, according to former Isro chairman S. at the Oxford India Business Forum, Somnath highlighted the remarkable efficiency and impact of India's space sector, which has achieved global recognition despite modest budgets.'For every one rupee we spent, the return on investment is Rs 2.54. This is an indicator of our investment in the budget allocated to us, which is not much, yet we have built infrastructure, satellites, application domains, and successful missions,' Somnath told the He pointed to Isro's landmark achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing, Aditya L-1 mission as proof of India's growing prowess in space also celebrated the explosive growth of India's private space industry. 'We had just one startup company in space before 2014. Now we have over 250 companies building rockets, getting ready for orbital missions, building satellites, and application companies are also emerging,' he said, noting that this ecosystem is set to help India scale its share of the global space ahead, Somnath outlined Isro's ambitious 25-year roadmap. 'We plan to send an Indian to the Moon, land and return. It is not just about showing we can land on the Moon, but developing the ecosystem,' he said. Plans include developing reusable rockets, establishing a Bharatiya Antariksh Station, enabling extended human presence in space, and exploring both the Moon and Mars.'We want to make sure that the Bharatiya Antariksh station is utilised by the science community across the world. We are looking for collaborators on microgravity research and want to ensure the investment is better utilised,' Somnath added, emphasising India's commitment to international scientific is also working to encourage and grow space exploration capabilities in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Oman, South Africa, and ASEAN nations, helping them expand their space application concluded by stressing the need for India to develop reusable launch vehicles, increase R&D spending, foster academic collaboration, and invest more in the strategic space domain. 'Space should be a catalyst for economic growth and enhancing knowledge,' he said, underlining Isro's vision of making India a global leader in space science and technology.- EndsMust Watch
