- PM Modi addressed the nation on National Space Day 2025.
- He said that achieving space milestones has become a natural trait for India.
- He announced that India will soon launch its Gaganyaan mission and its own space station.
- He challenged space startups to create five unicorns in the next five years.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Aug: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the nation on National Space Day 2025. In a video message, he extended his warm wishes and highlighted the day’s theme: “From Aryabhata to Gaganyaan.” The theme, he said, reflects both India’s past achievements and its future aspirations.
Modi noted that National Space Day has quickly become a source of pride and excitement for Indian youth. He congratulated all involved in the space sector, including scientists and young citizens. The Prime Minister mentioned that India is currently hosting the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, with participants from over sixty countries. He expressed his pride that Indian participants won medals at the event, seeing it as a sign of India’s growing global leadership in the space sector. To further spark interest, ISRO has launched initiatives like the Indian Space Hackathon and the Robotics Challenge, and Modi congratulated all participants and winners.
“Achieving milestone after milestone in the space sector has become a natural trait of India and its scientists,” Modi said. He recalled India’s historic landing on the Moon’s South Pole two years ago, making it the first country to do so. He also highlighted that India is the fourth country in the world to have docking and undocking capabilities in space. Modi shared his pride from meeting Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who unfurled the national flag at the International Space Station. The Prime Minister announced that India is creating an “Astronaut Pool” and invited young citizens to join.
Modi announced that India is rapidly advancing in new technologies like semi-cryogenic engines and electric propulsion. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Indian scientists, the Gaganyaan mission will launch soon. “In the coming years, India will also establish its own space station,” he highlighted. He emphasized that India, having reached the Moon and Mars, must now explore deeper regions of space, which hold vital secrets for humanity. “Beyond galaxies lies our horizon!” he declared.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India’s path is one of “Reform, Perform, and Transform.” He said that over the past eleven years, India has made major reforms in the space sector. Previously, futuristic sectors like space were restricted, but now the private sector is allowed to participate in space tech. Today, over 350 startups are driving innovation. The Prime Minister announced that the first PSLV rocket built by the private sector will be launched soon. He also mentioned that India’s first private communication satellite is under development, and an Earth Observation Satellite Constellation is being prepared through a Public-Private Partnership.
Modi challenged Indian space startups: “Can we build five unicorns in the space sector over the next five years?” He noted that India currently has 5-6 major launches annually and expressed his desire for the private sector to help increase this to 50 launches per year within the next five years.
He concluded by stating that India views space technology not just for scientific exploration but also for enhancing the “Ease of Living” for its citizens. He gave examples like satellite-based crop insurance assessments, safety for fishermen, and disaster management. He also noted that “Space-tech is increasingly becoming an integral part of governance in India.”
