I am extremely proud and happy to note that India’s space programme has made significant progress in evolving into a resonant, self-reliant ecosystem, with all the latest research and technological advancements. Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan are our flagship missions. We became the first country to land a spacecraft near the unexplored south pool of the moon. The crewed Gaganyaan mission will be launched soon, and I am sure there will be many more of such crewed missions in the years to come.
There are reports on ISRO collaborating with NASA for a mission to the International Space Station, which is a fine example of international cooperation. This is just the beginning. In fact, we should have our own space station in the years to come.
ISRO is looking at many ambitious plans like having an Indian astronaut on the moon, which is good. We have improved on our cryogenic engine. ISRO recently accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine, which will power the cryogenic stage of the human-related LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions, and its use in important test flights later.
In the coming years, we should have launch vehicles that can put 25-tonne payloads in orbit, from the present 10 tonnes. Development of high-thrust semi-cryogenic rockets will enable this.
The Indian space sector is recognised for cost-effective satellite launches, and we are taking hundreds of foreign satellites to space. We are bound to enhance our share in the global space economy quite significantly in the next five years.
India is in a leadership position as far as space technology is concerned, and we can help many of our neighbours who need our help when it comes to space-based services. We are already sharing fruits of our technological advancement with them, and should continue to strengthen that. We should take a lead role in international space cooperation.
There are opportunities opening up to expand commercial space. With privatisation and liberalised rules for the space sector, it will generate employment and allow private companies to take up a major share of manufacturing and marketing.
India has emerged as a global player in space, striving to maintain a leadership position in space.
* Need our own space station
* Launch vehicles should put 25-tonne payloads in orbit
* Support our neighbours who need help
* Continue international cooperation
* Enhance our share in global space economy