Jitendra Singh
India is set to establish its own space station, called the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), by 2035. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, announced this ambitious goal.
The minister highlighted that the announcements in the Union Budget 2024-25 for the space sector reflect a forward-looking vision. Singh outlined several key objectives: sending an Indian astronaut into space by the second half of 2025 and landing the first Indian on the Moon by 2040.
Singh elaborated on the significant investment in the space sector, stating that in 2023, there was an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore. He projected that the space economy would grow fivefold in the next decade, reaching around $44 billion. This growth is likely to retain talent that might otherwise go abroad.
He also noted that Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, is to launch next year. Singh mentioned that trial flights are currently underway. Notably, Covid had delayed the mission earlier.
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In addition, India plans to send robot flights into space. The launch of a female robot named Vayumitra will take place in 2025. This robot will perform astronaut tasks, return to Earth, and be retrieved from the landing craft.
The 2023 New Space Policy has further boosted the sector. It has liberated the space industry and significantly increased the number of digital space startups—from just one in 2021 to nearly 300 now. Singh praised the policy for opening doors to private sector participation in ISRO’s activities and noted its role in achieving new milestones.
Singh highlighted several achievements from the policy. For instance, the establishment of In-SPACe in 2020 intended to use it as a bridge between the government and the private sector. New Space India aims to produce and assemble launch vehicles. Notably, AgniKul Cosmos recently launched the world’s first rocket with a fully 3D-printed engine and has established a private launchpad at ISRO premises. Skyroot, another space startup, carried out the first private sub-orbital launch and is working to develop the first private-sector rocket.
Overall, Singh emphasized that these developments position India as a leading player in the global space sector. He also mentioned that global companies like SpaceX are now reaching out to India.
