The country 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 US$8.4bil (RM34.2bil) – 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 Aug 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.”
Since the Isro built its first satellite that was launched on a Soviet rocket in 1975, India has garnered a reputation for cost-efficient missions.
Isro has launched more than 430 foreign satellites – earning it more than US$600mil (RM2.4bil) – and more than 144 of its own.
The country is expanding its launchpad at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, and a second spaceport is being built at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu on India’s southern tip.
New Delhi projects its space industry will grow to US$44bil (RM179bil) by 2033 and US$100bil (RM407bil) by 2040.
In addition to Nasa, India works with the European Space Agency, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Saudi Arabia. Its manned flight preparations are supported by Russia.
Isro is also planning its inaugural crewed mission, with the first of three expected uncrewed test runs slated for late 2026.
Named “Gaganyaan”, or “sky craft”, the effort aims to eventually send three Indian astronauts into a 400km orbit for three days.
As part of preparations, Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla joined the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in 2025, becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India will have its own space station by 2035, and plans to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. — AFP
