India’s space ambitions reached new heights on National Space Day as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan unveiled a string of landmark missions, including Chandrayaan-4, a Venus Orbiter Mission, and the launch of India’s own space station by 2035.
Speaking at the main event in New Delhi, Narayanan said India is firmly on course to establish the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS), with its first module expected to lift off in 2028 and full operation targeted for 2035.
He also set a bold vision for India to land on the Moon by 2040 and return safely, placing the nation’s space programme “at par with any other in the world”.
“We are going to have a Chandrayaan-4 mission. We are going to have a Venus Orbiter Mission. We are going to have a space station called BAS by 2035, with the first module lifted off by 2028. The Prime Minister has given approval for a Next Generation Launcher… By 2040, India will land on the Moon and return safely,” Narayanan said.
Narayanan credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for setting ambitious targets, including India’s first human spaceflight mission under Gaganyaan. He highlighted the success of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, marking India’s return to space after 41 years.
“One of the major achievements is sending one of our ‘Gaganyatris’ to the International Space Station. It was again the Prime Minister’s idea that before sending a ‘Gaganyatri’ into space on our rocket, we should send one to the ISS. That vision has led to great success,” Narayanan noted, while praising Shukla and his three fellow astronauts.
Shukla, who hoisted the tricolour on the ISS, returned safely to Earth on 15 July before arriving in Delhi on 17 August to a hero’s welcome.
PM Modi: “Achieving Milestones Is Now India’s Nature”
Prime Minister Modi, addressing the event virtually, recalled the pride of Chandrayaan-3’s success, when India became the first country to reach the lunar South Pole. He hailed India’s scientists for their relentless pursuit of progress.
“Achieving new milestones one after another in the space sector has become the nature of India and Indian scientists,” the Prime Minister said.
He also lauded Shukla’s feat on the ISS, describing it as a symbol of “immense courage and infinite dreams of the youth of New India.”
Human Spaceflight on the Horizon
India’s much-awaited Gaganyaan mission has entered its final phase, with the first human spaceflight scheduled for early 2027. Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair and Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of the crew, representing the next generation of India’s space pioneers.
With a packed roadmap that spans lunar exploration, interplanetary missions, and a permanent space station, India’s space programme is positioning itself as one of the most ambitious in the world, and the journey has only just begun.
Inputs from ANI
Speaking at the main event in New Delhi, Narayanan said India is firmly on course to establish the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS), with its first module expected to lift off in 2028 and full operation targeted for 2035.
He also set a bold vision for India to land on the Moon by 2040 and return safely, placing the nation’s space programme “at par with any other in the world”.
“We are going to have a Chandrayaan-4 mission. We are going to have a Venus Orbiter Mission. We are going to have a space station called BAS by 2035, with the first module lifted off by 2028. The Prime Minister has given approval for a Next Generation Launcher… By 2040, India will land on the Moon and return safely,” Narayanan said.
Narayanan credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for setting ambitious targets, including India’s first human spaceflight mission under Gaganyaan. He highlighted the success of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, marking India’s return to space after 41 years.
“One of the major achievements is sending one of our ‘Gaganyatris’ to the International Space Station. It was again the Prime Minister’s idea that before sending a ‘Gaganyatri’ into space on our rocket, we should send one to the ISS. That vision has led to great success,” Narayanan noted, while praising Shukla and his three fellow astronauts.
Shukla, who hoisted the tricolour on the ISS, returned safely to Earth on 15 July before arriving in Delhi on 17 August to a hero’s welcome.
PM Modi: “Achieving Milestones Is Now India’s Nature”
Prime Minister Modi, addressing the event virtually, recalled the pride of Chandrayaan-3’s success, when India became the first country to reach the lunar South Pole. He hailed India’s scientists for their relentless pursuit of progress.“Achieving new milestones one after another in the space sector has become the nature of India and Indian scientists,” the Prime Minister said.
He also lauded Shukla’s feat on the ISS, describing it as a symbol of “immense courage and infinite dreams of the youth of New India.”
Human Spaceflight on the Horizon
India’s much-awaited Gaganyaan mission has entered its final phase, with the first human spaceflight scheduled for early 2027. Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair and Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of the crew, representing the next generation of India’s space pioneers.With a packed roadmap that spans lunar exploration, interplanetary missions, and a permanent space station, India’s space programme is positioning itself as one of the most ambitious in the world, and the journey has only just begun.
Inputs from ANI
