Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon Indian space scientists to gear up for deep space exploration, emphasizing the pivotal role it will play in shaping the future of humanity. Addressing the nation on National Space Day, Modi highlighted India's remarkable achievements in space and urged the scientific community to explore the mysteries beyond.
Modi underscored that India has already made significant strides by reaching the Moon and Mars, and the next frontier lies in delving into deep space. He believes that these unexplored realms hold secrets that could greatly benefit humanity. He stressed that the endless universe tells us that no frontier is the final frontier.
To further India's space ambitions, Modi announced the establishment of a pool of astronauts for future missions and encouraged young people to actively participate. He noted that the youth will have immense opportunities in the space sector. He also challenged space startups to develop unicorns within the next five years, urging the private sector to increase its involvement and aim for 50 rocket launches annually.
The Prime Minister lauded India's advancements in technologies such as electric propulsion and semi-cryogenic engines. He mentioned the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and the construction of India's own space station, which will solidify the nation's position in space exploration. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced plans for Chandrayaan-4, a Venus Orbiter Mission, and the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2035, with the first module launching in 2028. By 2040, India aims to land on the Moon and safely return astronauts, thus putting India's space program on par with any other in the world.
Modi emphasized that space technology is not only a tool for scientific exploration but also a means to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. He cited examples such as satellite-based crop insurance assessments, satellite-enabled information and safety for fishermen, disaster management applications, and the use of geospatial data in national master plans.
India is also committed to sustainable space operations. The Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) initiative aims to achieve 99% post-mission disposal success by 2030. International collaborations also remain central to India's space strategy, including partnerships with Japan for the LUPEX mission, France for the TRISHNA satellite, and the European Space Agency (ESA) for the Proba-3 mission.
India's space program has seen significant progress, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully soft-landed near the lunar south pole. India became the first nation to reach this region. ISRO is now preparing for Chandrayaan-4, which will attempt a complex lunar sample return mission using dual launches and in-space docking. A follow-up mission, Chandrayaan-5, is also in the works to further expand India's lunar surface science. India's interplanetary credentials were cemented with the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launched in 2013, making India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit on its first attempt.
With a clear vision and strategic initiatives, India is poised to make significant contributions to deep space exploration, unlocking new knowledge and opportunities for the benefit of all.
