PM Modi Sets 2035 Target for Indian Space Station, Invites Youth to Join Astronaut Pool

Virtually addressing the National Space Day celebrations, PM Modi praised India’s scientists for a string of achievements, from Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the Moon’s south pole to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

PM Modi said the first BAS module would be launched by 2028, marking India’s entry into the elite group of nations with orbital laboratories. He then invited young Indians to join the country’s astronaut pool, envisioning a future where they would conduct experiments and exploration from a home-built space station.

PM Modi also lauded Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, for hoisting the Indian tricolour aboard the ISS. “In my discussion with Group Captain Shukla, I saw the immense courage and infinite dreams of India’s youth,” he said.

Shukla is also among the astronauts shortlisted for India’s first human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme, now scheduled for early 2027.

Highlighting technological advances, PM Modi underlined India’s progress in semi-cryogenic engines, electric propulsion and successful docking and undocking capabilities.

Meanwhile, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that nearly 80 per cent of tests for Gaganyaan are complete. Modi stressed that reforms in the space sector must never pause, reiterating his “Reform, Perform, Transform” agenda.

National Space Day, observed annually on 23 August, commemorates Chandrayaan-3’s 2023 Moon landing, which made India the first country to reach the lunar south pole.

PM Modi also noted India’s emerging global leadership, citing the success of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics hosted in India, where local students won medals among 300 participants from 60 countries.

The event, themed “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan”, was attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, ISRO chief Narayanan and astronaut Shukla.

With BAS, Gaganyaan and advanced technologies on the horizon, India is positioning itself as a rising space power committed to innovation, exploration, and inspiring future generations.

Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), welcomed the government’s vision, noting the vital role of private players in advancing India’s space economy. He said:  “The Government’s proactive policies and strategic support with proactive guidance and impetus from the Hon’ble PM himself, has established a robust foundation for India’s private space ecosystem to thrive. Indian private space companies are now at the forefront of innovation in launch capabilities, satellite technologies, and downstream applications, driving significant growth and enhancing global competitiveness.”

“As we celebrate ISRO’s landmark success with the Chandrayaan-3 mission today, we also look forward to the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, where private sector participation will be critical to achieving new milestones in human space exploration. Over the past five years, the number of space startups in India has surpassed 300, attracting substantial funding of approximately $526 million to date, which underscores investor confidence. This dynamic ecosystem is well-positioned to elevate India’s space economy to an ambitious USD 44 billion by 2033. Through active collaboration between government and industry, the private sector is spearheading the NewSpace revolution, delivering scalable, cutting-edge solutions and fostering public-private partnerships that will define India’s space leadership and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth.”

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