PM Modi
NEW DELHI: On the country’s second National Space Day, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India has already reached the Moon and Mars, and now it is time we “must explore deeper regions of space”. Emphasising that these unexplored areas hold vital secrets for the future of humanity, the PM announced, “Beyond galaxies lies our horizon!”“India is rapidly advancing in breakthrough technologies such as semi-cryogenic engines and electric propulsion, and very soon, with the dedicated efforts of our scientists, India will launch the Gaganyaan mission and, in the coming years, build its own space station,” Modi said in a special message, revealing India’s upcoming big missions. He also invited young citizens to join India’s ‘astronaut pool’ and help give flight to the country’s aspirations.The PM urged the private sector to come forward and build five space Unicorns in the next five years. “At present, we have five big launches every year; can we scale it to 50 rockets every year, that is one per week?” he asked the private sector. He also announced that the first PSLV rocket built by the private sector will soon be launched. Modi expressed happiness that India’s first private communication satellite is also under development and said preparations are underway to launch an earth observation satellite constellation through public-private partnership. “A vast number of opportunities are being created for India’s youth in the space sector,” he said.The PM highlighted that over 350 startups are emerging as engines of innovation and acceleration in space technology. India is, at present, hosting the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, with nearly 300 young participants from over sixty countries.Recalling that two years ago, India became the first country to reach the South Pole of the Moon, creating history, the PM highlighted that India has also become the fourth country in the world to possess docking-undocking capabilities in space. He shared that just three days ago, he met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who unfurled the national flag at the International Space Station, filling every Indian with pride. He said when Group Captain Shukla showed him the tricolour, the feeling of touching it was beyond words.“Space-tech is increasingly becoming an integral part of governance in India”, Modi said citing examples such as satellite-based assessment in crop insurance schemes, satellite-enabled information and safety for fishermen, disaster management applications, and the use of geospatial data in the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. He informed that to further promote the use of space-tech across central and state governments, National Meet 2.0 was organised on Friday. He expressed his desire for such initiatives to continue and expand. He said India’s journey in space will reach new heights in the coming times.
