Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, announced that India will build its own space station by 2035. He said the goal is not only to expand India’s presence in space but also to make the country fully self-reliant in the sector.
ISRO Chairman’s Confirmation
ISRO chairman Dr. V. Narayanan backed the announcement, calling PM Modi a “visionary leader.” In an exclusive conversation with Times Now, he said ISRO is already working on the plan and will establish the space station within the announced timeline.
India’s Expanding Space Ambitions
Dr. Narayanan highlighted that India’s space ecosystem has grown dramatically. “There was a time we had just one startup. Today, we have more than 300 companies contributing to our work,” he said. He added that ISRO has several major projects in the pipeline, including Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, the Venus Orbiter Mission, and new rockets capable of carrying 75,000 kg to orbit.
Gaganyaan: Human Spaceflight on Track
The prime minister also underscored India’s flagship human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. According to Dr. Narayanan, the orbiter module is in the final development stage and the crew escape system is nearly complete. The first uncrewed mission is planned for this year, with the first crewed mission scheduled for early 2027.
Youth and Startups Driving Growth
PM Modi credited young talent and recent policy reforms for accelerating progress in the sector. He noted that more than 300 space startups are now active, compared with only one a few years ago. “Thousands of youth are working on the space station project. This is the confidence we have in our young generation,” he said.
A Proud Moment
The prime minister also expressed pride in the achievements of Indian astronauts, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from a space station mission. He said India’s growing capability is proof of how far the country has come in science and technology.
