Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the successful launch of India’s first private satellite constellation, ‘Firefly,’ by the Bengaluru-based space-tech start-up, Pixxel, calling it a testament to India’s growing strength in space innovation.
In his 118th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, PM Modi celebrated the achievement, stating, “At the beginning of 2025, India has achieved historic milestones in space exploration.
Today, I am proud to announce that Pixxel has successfully launched ‘Firefly,’ India’s first private satellite constellation. This hyperspectral satellite constellation ranks among the world’s finest for high-resolution imagery.”
Emphasizing the significance of the launch, the Prime Minister noted, “This success showcases the growing strength and innovation of our private space sector, marking a significant step toward an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
PM Modi also highlighted another significant breakthrough in space technology: the successful execution of satellite docking in space. “When two spacecraft connect in space, it is termed space docking. This critical technology is vital for sending supplies to space stations and crew missions. With this, India has become the fourth country to achieve this feat,” he said.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister applauded ISRO’s experiment on growing plants in space, citing the germination of cowpea seeds aboard a spacecraft as a pioneering step. “This inspiring experiment paves the way for growing vegetables in space, demonstrating the foresight of our scientists,” PM Modi added.
The Prime Minister also shed light on IIT Madras’ ExTeM Centre, which is advancing research in space manufacturing technologies such as 3D-printed buildings, metal foams, and optical fibres.
PM Modi turned his attention to the rapid growth of India’s start-up ecosystem, celebrating nine years of the Start-Up India initiative.
Expressing his joy at the active participation of youth in the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue,’ which coincided with Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, PM Modi said, “Swami Vivekananda rightly said that passion for an idea is key to achieving one’s goals.
The dialogue with young leaders from across the country was inspiring, covering start-ups, culture, women, youth, and infrastructure.”
PM Modi emphasized the role of smaller cities in the growth of start-ups, revealing that more than half of the start-ups formed in the past nine years have come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He highlighted emerging hubs of innovation such as Ambala, Hisar, Kangra, Chengalpattu, Bilaspur, Gwalior, and Washim.
The Prime Minister further noted the significant role of women in driving this growth, pointing out that many start-ups in smaller cities are led by women entrepreneurs. “In Nagaland, for example, start-up registrations increased by over 200 per cent last year. Sectors like waste management, renewable energy, biotechnology, and logistics are witnessing remarkable start-up activity,” he shared.
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