The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a big year, with several ambitious missions that could take India’s space programme to new heights in 2025. From satellite launches to lunar exploration, ISRO is ready to showcase its technological advancements and strengthen its global position in space exploration.
In January 2025, the ISRO is set to launch its 100th mission, the NVS-02 satellite. It will be launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). NVS-02 is part of the second generation of satellites for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, which is designed to improve regional navigation services across India and nearby areas.
This mission follows the launch of the NVS-01 satellite in May 2023, which weighed 2,232 kg and was placed in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The NVS-01 introduced an indigenous atomic clock and added L1 band signals, helping expand and strengthen NavIC's coverage and capabilities.
The NVS-02 satellite is expected to build on this progress, further enhancing India's navigation system.
Then there is NISAR, which is a joint mission with NASA. The US agency NASA has already announced that it is working with ISRO to target a launch date for the NISAR satellite in 2025. NISAR, which stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, is a satellite designed to scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days. It will gather important data on changes in ecosystems, land and sea ice, and the planet’s surface. The satellite will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located on India’s southeastern coast.
Weighing 2.8 tonnes, the NISAR satellite has been in development since 2014, following an agreement between India and the US. “It is a groundbreaking project, costing over Rs 5,800 crore, and will be the first satellite in the world to use dual-frequency radar technology. NASA contributed the L-band radar (1.25 GHz), while ISRO provided the S-band radar (3.20 GHz). Together, these systems will deliver highly accurate data. One of the satellite’s key components—a 12-meter radar antenna reflector—proved challenging to develop, causing delays in the mission. Critical parts of the satellite were transported from the US to India in October 2024, marking a major milestone in the project. Despite the setbacks, NISAR aims to provide unmatched precision in monitoring changes on Earth,” explained space expert Girish Linganna.
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The data from NISAR will help people around the world manage natural resources and respond to natural disasters more effectively. It will also help scientists study how fast climate change is happening and its impacts. Additionally, NISAR will provide valuable insights into the Earth's outer layer, known as the crust.
One of the major big-ticket missions by ISRO is the Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight programme. It aims to send Indian astronauts into space. Two uncrewed test flights are planned in the early part of 2025 followed by India’s first crewed mission in the latter half. This mission will make India the fourth country in the world to independently send humans to space, showcasing India’s growing expertise in human spaceflight technology.
Another interesting mission is the GISAT-2. Also called EOS-05, it is an Earth observation satellite scheduled for launch in 2025. It is designed to provide detailed images of the Indian subcontinent, enabling continuous monitoring of the region. The satellite will play a key role in quickly detecting and tracking natural disasters and other hazards.
The Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS) will see the launch of its first two satellites, IDRSS-1 and IDRSS-2, between 2025 and 2026. These satellites are vital for maintaining real-time communication between spacecraft in low Earth orbit and ground stations. They will be especially important for missions like Gaganyaan, ensuring seamless data transfer during critical operations.
Another interesting initiative in India is the ShakthiSAT initiative that is being launched by the Chennai-based aerospace startup Space Kidz on January 15. The aim is to build a spacecraft to be injected into the lunar orbit. “This project is a landmark in global collaboration and empowerment. With the involvement of 12,000 girls from 108 countries, it sets a precedent for inclusivity and diversity in the space sector. This mission is not just a technical achievement but a powerful statement of hope, unity, and the limitless potential of young minds. ShakthiSAT underscores the transformative power of space exploration in bringing the world together for a common cause,” remarked Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India.
Besides some of these missions by ISRO in 2025, the global space industry is witnessing unprecedented achievements and ambitious missions that are reshaping our cosmic endeavors. From the established powerhouses of space exploration to emerging players carving their niche, the year is set to witness extraordinary milestones that will propel humanity further into the final frontier. NASA's Artemis program stands at the forefront of space exploration, with Artemis III preparing to make history by landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon. This milestone mission represents a crucial step toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface and eventually reaching Mars.
Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to demonstrate its prowess in commercial spaceflight, marked by the successful return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore aboard the Dragon spacecraft. Under Elon Musk's leadership, the company pushes forward with its Mars colonization goals while developing the revolutionary Starship rocket for deep-space missions and interplanetary travel.
Russia's space programme maintains its significance with Luna 26 scheduled to launch in 2025 - 2026. This orbital mission aims to map lunar resources, complementing Russia's broader plans for a lunar base. Meanwhile, China’s space ambitions reach new heights with the planned launch of Tianwen-3, an ambitious Mars sample return mission. The expansion of China's Tiangong Space Station continues, cementing the nation’s position in space station technology, while their lunar exploration program targets the Moon's south pole.
Europe is not to be overlooked, with the European Space Agency (ESA) advancing its planetary exploration missions. The JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) spacecraft, launched in 2023, will reach Jupiter in 2029, but preparatory observations and developments in 2025 are crucial. Furthermore, the ESA’s partnership with NASA on the Mars Sample Return mission emphasizes the collaborative spirit of modern space exploration. The agency’s focus on sustainability and green technology for spacecraft propulsion also underscores its commitment to environmentally conscious innovation.
Emerging players like the UAE, with their ambitious Mars Hope Probe and lunar missions, and Japan’s JAXA, with asteroid exploration and lunar endeavours, are expanding the horizons of space science. The UAE’s Rashid Rover 2 mission, aimed at lunar exploration, is set to showcase the country’s growing capabilities in space technology. Japan’s planned MMX (Martian Moons Exploration) mission aims to return samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, marking a significant milestone in planetary science. South Korea is also advancing its space ambitions with its lunar orbiter programme and plans for further satellite deployments to enhance telecommunications and Earth observation capabilities.
Australia, through its Australian Space Agency, is making strides with satellite technology and international partnerships to foster innovation. Canada’s contributions to the Lunar Gateway project, particularly its advanced robotics, demonstrate its specialized expertise in space infrastructure. Brazil and Argentina continue to focus on satellite development and Earth observation missions to support environmental monitoring and disaster management in South America.
