The Union Minister of State for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, commemorated India’s first sounding rocket launch at Thumba, Kerala, coinciding with significant 2023 milestones – Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions. He highlighted the declaration of August 23 as ‘National Space Day’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the day Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon.
During the event at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station (TERLS), Dr. Jitendra Singh witnessed a symbolic launch similar to the one held 60 years ago. Emphasizing the success of recent missions, he praised India’s indigenous capabilities and the visionary dream of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, acknowledging the country’s progress in space technology.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized India’s multifaceted utilization of space technology across various sectors, aiming to enhance the ‘Ease of Living’ for citizens. He credited PM Modi for reforms in the space sector, enabling easier access for Indian private players and the formulation of the comprehensive Indian Space Policy 2023.
Highlighting India’s space aspirations, Dr. Jitendra Singh outlined PM Modi’s directives for future missions, including Gaganyaan by 2025, ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ (Indian Space Station) by 2035, and the first Indian lunar landing by 2040. He emphasized India’s space achievements, noting Chandrayaan’s discovery of water molecules on the Moon and Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the Moon’s South Pole.
Addressing cost-effectiveness, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the economical aspects of India’s space missions in comparison to other international endeavors. He projected a significant contribution from the space sector to India’s economy by 2047, estimating exponential growth based on recent reforms, the emergence of space startups, and industry collaborations.
Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored India’s remarkable transformation in space exploration over the last decade, particularly the surge in launch vehicle missions and foreign satellite launches by ISRO. He predicted a substantial boost in India’s space economy, estimating it could grow from $8 billion to $100 billion, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy by 2047.