300+ startups are active in launch of vehicles-satellites-ground systems
Minister of State for Department of Space Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is entering a transformative phase in its spa ce journey, with ambitious goals ranging from a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 to landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.
He was speaking virtually in 8 Sept at the inaugural session of the International Conference on Space 2025, themed “Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy, and Growth.”
Highlighting recent milestones, the Minister referred to the success of Chandrayaan-3, which placed India among the leading spacefaring nations by becoming the first to land near the lunar south pole http://commerce.gov.in.
He also pointed to the achievements of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian Air Force officer to travel to the International Space Station, and outlined India’s upcoming exploration missions to Mars, Venus, and asteroids, alongside the human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan.
Over 300 startups are currently active in areas including launch vehicles, satellites, and ground systems. This, he said, is not only fostering innovation but also generating jobs, investments, and opportunities for young professionals https://www.bseindia.com/.
He noted that the true value of space lies in its applications across everyday life — from agriculture and health to education, urban development, and governance. “Space must empower every sector and serve the common citizen,” he said https://www.nseindia.com/.
The Minister also emphasized India’s commitment to international collaboration. He cited recent partnerships such as the joint NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission with the United States, and the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission with Japan. Such cooperation, he added, demonstrates how space can serve as a powerful platform for global engagement.
Skill development, he said, remains a critical pillar of India’s space strategy. Through ISRO outreach programmes, academic Centres of Excellence, and industry–academia collaborations, the country is nurturing talent in fields such as satellite design, propulsion, AI-driven applications, and space law https://sbi.com.in/.
The conference, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has drawn over 500 delegates from India and abroad, including government representatives, academics, industry leaders, and startups.
He stressed that the application of space technologies will not only transform agriculture, health, and education but also strengthen governance and public service delivery. The Minister welcomed the formation of CII’s National Committee on Space, which he said would serve as a vital platform to bring together established enterprises and new-age startups for building a stronger ecosystem https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
The Minister reiterated India’s vision of using space for sustainability, equity, and global progress. “India’s space journey is one of perseverance and innovation. Let us dream together, innovate together, and build together — transforming space from a distant frontier into a shared horizon of unity and progress,” he said. fiinews.com
