India has sent spacecraft to Mars and the Moon, put hundreds of satellites into orbit and will in the coming days launch its first privately developed orbital-class rocket.
New Delhi’s space economy — valued at $8.4 billion — has rapidly expanded since the sector opened up to private investment in 2020, attracting more than 400 space startups.
Several key government and private firms collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also work on defence, creating increasing overlap between space and security.
But Skyroot Aerospace’s plans to launch the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket before August 4 mark the next major step for the growing Indian space industry.
“India is pursuing ambitious goals across deep-space exploration, space science, human spaceflight, and orbital infrastructure,” the Department of Space said.
“These achievements reflect growing confidence, technological maturity, and a long-term vision for India’s role in the global space ecosystem.”
Here are some of those achievements and ambitions:
– Mars, Moon, Sun, Sea –
In 2014, India became the first Asian nation to put a spacecraft into orbit around Mars.
ISRO has also made strides with its lunar probe programme called Chandrayaan, or “Mooncraft” in Sanskrit.
The programme included a 2008 lunar orbiter, a failed 2019 landing attempt and a successful 2023 mission that deployed a rover.
The rover mission made India the fourth nation to land an unmanned craft on the Moon after Russia, the United States and China.
A fourth Chandrayaan mission set for 2027 is expected to bring back Moon samples, and a Venus orbit mission is slated for 2028.
An ongoing solar mission, Aditya, is observing the Sun’s outermost layers and space weather.
On Earth, ISRO technology is helping develop India’s Matsya submarine, named after the fish avatar of Hindu deity Vishnu.
It will carry scientists six kilometres (3.7 miles) underwater by 2027 to “harness deep ocean resources” including rare earth and critical minerals, according to Science Minister Jitendra Singh.
– Satellites –
Since ISRO built its first satellite that was launched on a Soviet rocket in 1975, India has garnered a reputation for cost-efficient missions.
Its space programme has accelerated since 2014, seeking a greater slice of the fast-growing commercial satellite market.
ISRO has launched more than 430 foreign satellites — earning it more than $600 million — and more than 144 of its own.
The country is expanding its launchpad at Sriharikota on the southeast coast in Andhra Pradesh, and a second spaceport is being built at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu on India’s southern tip.
