National Space Day: On Friday, India celebrated its inaugural National Space Day, commemorating the anniversary of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the first country to land a probe on the lunar south pole. The celebration, held at New Delhiās Bharat Mandapam, featured prominent figures like President Droupadi Murmu, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, and the Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh. The event highlighted India’s ambitious space roadmap for the next two decades, including plans for further lunar missions, an indigenous space station, a new rocket, and a manned moon landing by 2040.
A Roadmap for the Future
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) laid out its plans for expanding the Chandrayaan missions, including Chandrayaan-4, which aims to return lunar rock samples to Earth by 2027. This mission will build on the technology developed for Chandrayaan-3, incorporating lunar docking, precision landing, and safe return to Earth. Another future mission, Chandrayaan-5, will involve collaboration with Japan’s space agency, JAXA, featuring an Indian lander and a 350kg Japanese rover to explore the lunar south pole.
Ambitious Projects on the Horizon
One of ISRO’s most significant upcoming projects is the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), an indigenous space station that will orbit 400km above Earth. Expected to be operational by 2035, the BAS will be a modular station assembled in space, designed to host Indian astronauts for 15-20 day missions. The station will support research in microgravity, astronomy, and Earth observation.
ISRO also introduced the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), known as “Soorya,” a three-stage, partially reusable rocket that will carry heavier payloads into orbit. This new rocket will be crucial for India’s future missions, including the expansion of the Gaganyaan program, which aims to place an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.
Addressing Space Debris
Another key focus of National Space Day was addressing the issue of space debris. President Murmu emphasized the importance of debris-free space missions by 2030. ISRO is developing technology in Bengaluru to detect and clear space debris, with plans to retrieve decommissioned satellites and return them to Earth.
A Proud Moment for India
President Murmu reflected on ISRO’s achievements, noting that the Chandrayaan-3 landing was a proud moment for all Indians. She highlighted ISRO’s role in advancing space science and contributing to the nation’s social and economic development, expressing confidence in India’s continued progress in space exploration.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath also emphasized the impact of Chandrayaan-3’s success and shared the agency’s vision for future space missions as part of India’s Amrit Kaal.
