Context:

Recently, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the International Conference on Space 2025. The theme of conference is "Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy, and Growth," brought together over 500 delegates, including international space agencies, academics, startups, and industry leaders.

India's Space Ambitions highlighted in the conference;

• Bharatiya Space Station by 2035
  India plans to establish its own space station, marking a significant leap in human spaceflight and research infrastructure.
• Moon Mission by 2040
  India aims to send an Indian astronaut to the Moon, expanding its role in human exploration.
• Exploration Missions to Mars, Venus, and Asteroids
  ISRO is planning new interplanetary missions to deepen scientific understanding and establish India as a deep-space leader.
• Human Spaceflight – Gaganyaan Mission
  Scheduled for launch soon, this will be India’s first crewed mission to space.

Key Space Missions & Achievements

NISAR Launch (30 July 2025)

·         Joint mission with NASA for Earth observation.

·         Launch via GSLV-F16 to Sun Synchronous Orbit.

·         Tracks earthquakes, shorelines, sea ice, and more.

Human Spaceflight – Axiom-4 Mission

·         Gp Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS.

·         Conducted biological and technological experiments in microgravity.

·         Marked India’s entry into global human spaceflight collaboration.

Scientific Experiments in Microgravity

·         Seed sprouting, tardigrades, muscle cell research, algae growth, and human-machine interaction.

Gaganyaan Programme

·         ₹20,193 Cr project to send Indians to Low Earth Orbit by 2027.

·         Training of 4 IAF astronauts complete.

·         Includes 3 uncrewed missions followed by a crewed flight.

·         Supports India's goal to build the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035) and land an astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Chandrayaan Missions

·         Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Discovered water molecules.

·         Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Orbiter success, lander setback.

·         Chandrayaan-3 (2023): First soft landing near lunar south pole.

·         Chandrayaan-4 (upcoming): Lunar sample return mission via 5-module system.

Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)

·         Launched in 2013, entered Mars orbit in 2014.

·         First Asian nation to reach Mars on maiden attempt.

Other Major Projects

·         NavIC: Indian GPS for terrestrial and marine navigation.

·         Aditya-L1: Solar mission observing solar flares.

·         SpaDeX: Demonstrated satellite docking in orbit.

·         ORV: Orbital Re-entry Vehicle for reusable space missions.

·         GSAT-N2: High-throughput communication satellite (48 Gbps).

·         Mission Shakti (2019): Anti-satellite test; space defense capability.

Sustainability: DFSM Initiative

·         Debris-Free Space Missions by 2030.

·         Managed under ISRO’s IS4OM, focuses on post-mission disposal, debris monitoring, and global cooperation.

International Collaborations

·         NISAR (NASA), LUPEX (JAXA), TRISHNA (CNES), and Proba-3 (ESA).

·         Starlink India approved to provide satellite internet.

·         Over 328 space startups, enabled by FDI reforms and IN-SPACe.

Policy & Growth

·         India Space Policy 2023: Empowers private sector.

·         100% FDI permitted in certain segments.

·         Budget nearly tripled in 10 years (₹13,416 Cr in 2025-26).

·         Space Vision 2047 targets Moon landings, BAS, and Venus missions.

Conclusion

The International Conference on Space 2025 provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss innovation, policy, and growth in the space sector. With India's ambitious space goals and growing startup ecosystem, the conference highlighted the country's potential to become a major player in the global space economy.