PM Modi sets target of five spacetech unicorns in five years, 50 rocket launches a year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thrown a bold challenge to India’s spacetech startups: create five unicorns in the next five years and scale annual rocket launches from the current 5–6 to 50.

Speaking on the occasion of the second National Space Day on Saturday, Modi stressed the need for self-reliance in space technology and data. “The private sector should step forward so that India reaches a stage where 50 rockets are launched every year within the next five years,” he said in a video address to scientists, startup founders and students. “The government has the intent and willpower to implement next-generation reforms to achieve this vision.”

The PM also called for building an “astronaut pool” to aid India’s ambition of becoming a strong space-faring nation, while urging youth to join the effort. He cited astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s visit to the International Space Station as an inspiration.


ISRO chairman V Narayanan said the agency is on track for India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, and is preparing Chandrayaan-4, a Venus Orbiter, and a national space station by 2035. “Today there are 55 satellites serving India’s common man. In a few years, it will be three times more,” he said.

Pawan Goenka, chairman of space regulator IN-SPACe, summed up the PM’s challenge as “five unicorns in five years, and one launch a week,” calling it tough but achievable.

India marks August 23 as National Space Day to commemorate ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar success.