The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is gearing up for one of its most intensive periods of activity, with seven additional launches planned before the close of the current financial year. While India’s first human spaceflight is still scheduled for 2027, the organization is pushing forward with rapid expansion across science, technology, and industry, according to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan.In an interview with PTI, Narayanan emphasized that this surge in activity is part of a broader strategy to elevate India’s capabilities in space research and development, strengthen technological infrastructure, and enhance domestic industrial participation in the sector.
ISRO prepares Indian-built PSLV and plans Chandrayaan-4 moon mission in 2028
ISRO’s immediate focus includes the launch of a commercial communications satellite along with multiple PSLV and GSLV missions. Among these, a particularly notable milestone is the upcoming launch of the first PSLV entirely manufactured by the Indian industry.This step not only demonstrates India’s growing self-reliance in space technology but also marks a significant achievement for the domestic space manufacturing sector. The program is designed to boost production efficiency as ISRO aims to triple its annual spacecraft output by 2025 to meet the rising demand for space missions. Among ISRO’s high-profile missions is Chandrayaan-4, a lunar sample-return mission scheduled for 2028. This mission represents India’s most complex lunar project to date and aims to retrieve samples from the Moon’s surface, a feat currently achieved only by the United States, Russia, and China.“We are targeting 2028 for Chandrayaan-4,” Narayanan confirmed. The mission will provide critical insights into lunar geology and resources, further establishing India’s presence in global lunar exploration.Additionally, ISRO is collaborating with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on LUPEX, a lunar polar exploration mission. This joint program will focus on investigating water ice deposits at the lunar south pole, a vital resource for future long-term space habitation.
India’s first space station and long-term crewed missions
Looking further ahead, ISRO has initiated plans for an Indian space station, expected to be completed by 2035. The first of its five modules is slated to be placed in orbit by 2028, positioning India as the third nation to operate an independent space station following the US-led International Space Station and China’s Tiangong.On the human spaceflight front, India’s maiden Gaganyaan mission remains on track. Narayanan clarified that while the schedule for uncrewed missions has been adjusted, the crewed mission is still firmly set for 2027. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also tasked ISRO with long-term objectives, including sending Indian astronauts to the lunar surface and returning them safely by 2040.
Expanding India’s share in the global space economy
India currently holds a two percent share of the global space economy. ISRO is actively working to increase this to eight percent by 2030. The domestic space economy, currently valued at approximately $8.2 billion, is projected to grow to $44 billion by 2033. By comparison, the global space economy, now around $630 billion, could reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.Since the 2020 space sector reforms, private sector participation in India has surged dramatically. Today, over 450 industries and 330 startups are actively involved in satellite production, rocket development, and commercial launch services—a sharp increase from just three startups a few years ago. These reforms have opened new opportunities for private players and positioned India as a key emerging hub in the global space industry.Also Read | Asteroid capture and space mining could become a reality: Know what it is and how this new technology works
