Opening space sector unlocked new avenues for private players, startups: PM Modi

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said opening up India’s space sector unlocked vast opportunities for private enterprises and startups, enabling young innovators to build rockets and launch satellites into orbit for the first time in the country's history.

Speaking at the inauguration of the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium in Mysuru, Modi said rapid global technological shifts leave no room for slow progress, adding that India has worked at an unprecedented pace over the past decade in astronomy, astrophysics, and space exploration. This scientific approach is driving new discoveries, indigenous technology development, and youth-led opportunities.

The PM pointed out that India has installed new telescopes and joined an elite group of nations in complex space exploration. Through Chandrayaan-3, ISRO made India the first nation to land near the Moon’s South Pole, while Aditya-L1 gave the country its first space-based solar observatory.


Modi added that last year India became the fourth country to demonstrate space docking and undocking capabilities, and an Indian astronaut conducted experiments aboard the International Space Station—experience that is directly aiding India’s human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

Guided by the principle of 'Humanity First', Modi emphasised that India’s space missions are dedicated to public welfare. He noted that ISRO has developed a satellite communication system for fishermen, allowing officials to send timely storm alerts to boats fitted with receivers and track their safe return to shore, PM said.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to 'Science for Society', Modi said more than one crore students have benefited from over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country, giving children avenues to experiment and innovate.