On August 15, 2025, during his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India’s goal to become self-reliant in space and build its own space station soon. He praised Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the International Space Station (ISS), as an inspiration. Modi said, “We’re proud of our space sector. Gaganyaan, our human spaceflight program, is on track, and we’ll have our own space station!”
A space station for India? That’s out-of-this-world news!
Shukla and Gaganyaan’s Progress
Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut after Rakesh Sharma (1984), gained key experience at the ISS, which ISRO says will help the Gaganyaan mission. This program aims to send Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit. Last month, ISRO successfully tested the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) with two hot tests. This year, ISRO plans a second test vehicle and an uncrewed mission to test crew safety systems. X users like @ISROSpaceflight posted, “Shukla’s ISS trip boosts Gaganyaan—India’s ready for space!”
Shukla inspiring a billion? Gaganyaan’s getting closer!
Space Startups Boom
Modi highlighted that recent reforms have sparked over 300 space startups, with India’s youth leading the charge. Union Minister Jitendra Singh told Parliament that these startups raised $430 million by March 2025. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), set up in 2020, has shared 93 ISRO technologies with private firms, boosting innovation. Companies like Skyroot Aerospace, which raised $27 million recently, are building rockets. An X post from @PIB_India said, “India’s space startups soar with $430M, thanks to IN-SPACe!”
300 startups in space? India’s youth are rocking it!
What’s Next
ISRO’s uncrewed Gaganyaan test this year will check systems for astronaut safety, paving the way for a human mission. The space station plan, though years away, shows India’s long-term vision. With startups and IN-SPACe, private players are joining ISRO’s efforts, much like Gandhi’s TIFF premiere or India’s oil import shift. This could make India a space leader, inspiring youth to dream big. Are you excited for India’s space plans? What do you think of Gaganyaan? Tell me!