The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has nearly doubled its number of missions in the past decade compared to the previous ten years, Chairman V Narayanan said on Thursday, highlighting the organisation’s “phenomenal and exponential” growth.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Narayanan praised Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for becoming the first Indian to safely return from the International Space Station (ISS).
“In last 10 years, the progress is phenomenal, exponential. With respect to missions, between 2015 and 2025 the number of missions were almost doubled compared to 2005-2015. During the last six months, three important missions were completed. Axiom 4 mission is a very prestigious mission, successfully accomplished. First Indian to be brought back safely from the international Space Station (ISS), we have the Gaganyaatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla,” Narayanan said.
The conference was attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, along with Gaganyaan astronauts Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Nair.
Also read: ISRO to launch 6,500kg US satellite into orbit
Looking ahead, Narayanan outlined upcoming missions, including a NASA-ISRO collaboration in the next two to three months. “In 2-3 months, around 6,500 kg communication satellites of USA are going to be launched using our launch vehicle. Until today, 433 satellites of 34 countries are done from India,” he said. He also noted that G20 satellites will be provided to various countries.
Highlighting India’s space diplomacy and startup ecosystem, Narayanan credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fostering regional cooperation and domestic innovation. “After Modi took over as Prime Minister of country, the south Asian satellite was conceived, built, launched and donated to south Asian countries. Under his leadership we are also realising the G20 satellite for G20 countries. 10 years ago, we had only one startup company in the space area. Today, we have more than 300 startups in the space industry... There are two suborbital missions done by private companies,” he said.
Since the first launch from Thumba, Kerala, on November 21, 1963, ISRO has undertaken 133 satellite missions, 102 launch vehicle missions, five technology demonstration missions, and launched 4,217 rockets, completing 240 missions overall. So far, 433 satellites from 34 countries have been launched from Indian soil.
Earlier on Thursday, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking another milestone in India’s expanding space diplomacy.
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