India’s Space Programme Explained: Critical Role in Viksit Bharat 2047

From Subhanshu Shukla becoming India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS to landmark missions like Gaganyaan (2027), Vyommitra humanoid launch (2026), Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035), and a crewed lunar mission by 2040, India’s space programme is shaping national growth, strategic autonomy, and global cooperation.

India’s space programme is evolving into one of the strongest pillars of its developmental journey, symbolising Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Vishwabandhu Bharat (a global friend).

A recent special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the “Critical Role of the Space Programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047” highlighted how space technology can solve domestic challenges while strengthening India’s role in global governance.

The historic journey of Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through the Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4), represents not just symbolic pride but also the growing maturity of India’s cost-effective and indigenous space capability.

India in Space: From Rakesh Sharma to Subhanshu Shukla

• Historic milestone: Shukla became the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984) and the first aboard the ISS.

• Experiments: His work on life sciences, agriculture, plant physiology, biotechnology, and cognitive sciences was developed with indigenous kits, showing India’s R&D strength.

• Global significance: Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that though designed in India, these experiments will benefit all mankind, embodying the principle of “Vishwabandhu Bharat”.

• Cost-effective approach: India’s ISS mission was completed at a fraction of global costs, reflecting ISRO’s legacy of low-cost, high-impact missions like Mangalyaan (MOM).

Critical Role of Space Technology in India’s Development

India’s space technology is deeply integrated into governance, economy, and social welfare.

Sector/Sphere	Challenges	Space-based Solutions
Agriculture	Erratic monsoons, poor crop forecasting	INSAT-3D/3DR (weather forecasting), Resourcesat (crop monitoring & yield estimation)
Infrastructure	Project delays, lack of integration	PM Gati Shakti uses ISRO’s geo-spatial tools to coordinate Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and railways
Disaster Management	High vulnerability to floods, cyclones, landslides	ISRO’s DMS Programme for real-time monitoring, early warning, and damage assessment
Security & Defence	Border surveillance gaps, communication risks	GSAT-7 (secure communication), RISAT (radar imaging), Mission Shakti 2019 (anti-satellite test)
Strategic Autonomy	Reliance on US GPS	NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) – India’s own navigation system
Climate Change	Glacier retreat, deforestation, ocean warming	NISAR Mission (NASA–ISRO) to map land deformation, ecosystems, ice sheets, and oceans
Healthcare	Remote areas lack access	Telemedicine Project for remote consultations
Education	Digital divide in rural areas	EDUSAT enables distance learning
Welfare & Governance	Leakages in schemes	Geo-tagging of MGNREGA assets ensures accountability
Water Management	Groundwater depletion	Bhuvan–SRISHTI Geoportal supports watershed planning

Key Missions Explained

• NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission): A joint satellite by NASA & ISRO to be launched in 2025, designed to study land, ice sheets, ecosystems, and natural hazards. It will provide critical data on climate change and Earth’s surface movements.

• NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation): India’s alternative to GPS, offering regional navigation coverage over India and the surrounding 1,500 km. It ensures strategic autonomy, especially in defence and transport.

• Mission Shakti (2019): India’s first successful anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, proving its space defence capability.

India as Vishwabandhu Bharat in Space

India is positioning itself as a responsible and collaborative power in outer space:

• Global collaboration: NISAR is termed a “scientific handshake with the world”.

• Regional support: South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) launched in 2017 for neighboring countries’ connectivity and services.

• Knowledge sharing: Chandrayaan-3 data is available on PRADAN (Policy-based Data Retrieval, Analytics, Dissemination & Notification System).

• Capacity building: UNNATI Programme provides international training in nanosatellite development.

• Cost-effectiveness: Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was the world’s cheapest interplanetary mission (~₹450 crore).

• Commercial launches: Over 400 satellites for 34 nations launched by India.

• Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM): India aims for debris-free missions by 2030, addressing the global space junk problem.

• Humanitarian Aid: Member of COSPAS–SARSAT, an international satellite-based search and rescue (SAR) system.

Policy Push for Space Economy

• India Space Policy 2023: Promotes private sector role across the space value chain.

• FDI Reforms: 100% FDI allowed in manufacturing of space components under the automatic route.

• Private ecosystem: Over 300 space startups are now part of India’s growing space economy.

• Institutional Framework:

  • NewSpace India Limited (NSIL): ISRO’s commercial arm for satellite launches and services.

  • IN-SPACe: A single-window authority for private participation in space activities.

Roadmap to 2047: Upcoming Missions

• Vyommitra (2026): India’s first humanoid robot astronaut to be sent on an uncrewed Gaganyaan test flight. It will simulate human responses to space travel.

• Gaganyaan (2027): India’s first human spaceflight mission, aiming to send a 2–3 member crew into low-Earth orbit (LEO).

• Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035): India’s planned independent space station, to serve as a hub for research, experiments, and global collaboration.

• Indian on the Moon (2040): India aims to land an astronaut on the lunar surface, placing itself among the top spacefaring nations.

• Vision Viksit Bharat 2047: By 2047, India envisions a fully developed nation, with space technology powering agriculture, climate action, governance, and global leadership.

India’s space programme is not just about exploration—it is a developmental engine, security shield, and global bridge. With clear milestones from Vyommitra in 2026 to a lunar landing by 2040, India is building a strong foundation for Viksit Bharat@2047.

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