He recalled the historic milestone of India reaching Mars on its first attempt in 2014. He highlighted that Chandrayaan-1 contributed to the discovery of water on the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 delivered the highest-resolution images of the lunar surface, and Chandrayaan-3 furthered scientific understanding of the Moon’s South Pole.
“India developed cryogenic engines in record time, launched 100 satellites in a single mission, and successfully deployed over 400 satellites for 34 nations using Indian launch vehicles,” the Prime Minister pointed out.
Modi reiterated that India’s space journey is not about competition, but about ascending to greater heights together. He underlined a collective commitment to space exploration for the benefit of humanity.
Citing India’s dedication to regional cooperation, he recalled the successful launch of a satellite for South Asian nations and announced that the G20 Satellite Mission, initiated during India’s G20 Presidency, would be a major contribution to the Global South.
He affirmed that India continues to move forward with renewed confidence, consistently pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.
The Prime Minister further revealed that, in the coming weeks, an Indian astronaut would travel to space as part of a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station.
Outlining India’s long-term space vision, Modi stated that by 2035, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station would support groundbreaking research and international collaboration.
He declared that by 2040, an Indian astronaut would set foot on the Moon, with Mars and Venus being key objectives in India’s future space pursuits.
Emphasising that space, for India, is not solely about exploration but also empowerment, the Prime Minister described how space technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing governance, improving livelihoods, and inspiring future generations.
