India has set ambitious goals in the field of space exploration, marking its growing dominance as a major space power. Member of Parliament Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur, while addressing students in Una on National Space Day, announced that India aims to establish its own space station by 2035 and achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2040. This announcement underscores the country’s long-term commitment to space science and technology, which has become a key symbol of national pride and global recognition.

Mr. Thakur credited the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the unwavering dedication of India’s scientific community, particularly the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), for achieving historic breakthroughs. He highlighted that India made global headlines in 2023 with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, becoming the first nation in the world to successfully land near the Moon’s southern pole—a milestone that showcased the country’s technological advancement and resilience.

Growth of India’s Space Sector

India’s space sector, which was opened for private participation in 2014, has witnessed a remarkable transformation. The industry is projected to expand from Rs. 69,976 crore (US$ 8 billion) to Rs. 3,84,868 crore (US$ 44 billion) in the coming years. This exponential growth is not only driven by ISRO’s missions but also by the increasing involvement of private startups and companies entering the space ecosystem.

The government’s financial support has also grown significantly. India’s space budget, which stood at Rs. 5,615 crore (US$ 642 million) in 2013-14, has more than doubled to Rs. 13,416 crore (US$ 1.53 billion) at present. This steady increase reflects the priority accorded to space research and exploration in India’s policy framework.

Human Spaceflight and Astronaut Requirement

Mr. Thakur also noted that India would need 40 to 50 astronauts for its upcoming missions in the next decade. This aligns with the Gaganyaan Mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space on an indigenous spacecraft. The government has already approved a budget of Rs. 20,193 crore (US$ 2.31 billion) for the mission, marking a bold step toward achieving human spaceflight capabilities.

Key Achievements and Ongoing Projects

India has already accomplished several critical milestones:

• Aditya L1 Solar Mission – designed to study the Sun and its influence on Earth’s climate.

• Launch of 400 foreign satellites via the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), cementing India’s reputation as a reliable launch partner.

• First private rocket Vikram-S, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, marking the growing strength of India’s private space industry.

• Space docking technology tests, which are essential for long-duration missions and space station operations.

• Reusable launch vehicle development, which aims to drastically reduce the cost of space missions.

India’s Global Leadership in Space Exploration

India’s vision of setting up a space station by 2035 aligns it with major space powers like the United States, Russia, and China. Achieving a crewed lunar landing by 2040 will place India among the few nations with the ability to conduct human deep-space exploration.

This long-term strategy showcases India’s determination to not just participate but lead in the new space race. With the growing synergy between government support, private participation, and scientific innovation, India’s space sector is set to become a cornerstone of its economic and technological future.

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