National Space Day 2025

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• India is celebrating its second National Space Day on August 23, 2025 with the theme “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”.
• August 23rd was declared as “National Space Day” to honour the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander at the ‘Shiv Shakti’ point and deployed the Pragyaan Rover on the lunar surface.

Space Sector of India

• India’s space sector has benefitted from decades of consistent investment, with $13 billion invested in the last decade, yielding around US $60 billion in GDP contribution.
• Potential of Space Sector:
  • Export Potential and Investment: Currently, India’s export market share in space-related services stands at ₹2,400 crore ( $0.3 billion). The goal is to boost this to ₹88,000 crore ($11 billion).
  • Rise of Space Tourism: In 2023, the space tourism market was valued at $848.28 million. It is expected to grow to $27,861.99 million by 2032.
  • The Space Sector has supported 96,000 jobs in the public and private sector. 
  • For every dollar produced by the space sector, there was a multiplier effect of $2.54 to the Indian economy and India’s space force was 2.5 times more productive than the country’s broader industrial workforce.

India’s Recent Milestones in Space

• Human Spaceflight Progress: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS as part of Axiom Mission-4.
  • It is seen as a precursor to Gaganyaan, India’s maiden human space mission.
• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
  • NISAR is the first satellite mission to collect radar data in two microwave bandwidth regions, called the L-band and the S-band.
• Chandrayaan Programme:
  • Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Confirmed water molecules on the Moon.
  • Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Valuable orbiter data despite lander failure.
  • Chandrayaan-3 (2023): Soft-landing near the south pole, first in the world.
• Mars Orbiter Mission (2013–2021):
  • First Asian mission to reach Martian orbit in the first attempt.
  • Provided atmospheric & terrain data for over 7 years.

Challenges in India’s Space Sector

• Competition and Global Market Share: To achieve this ambitious goal of 8% of the global market share, Indian space companies must compete effectively on the international stage. 
• Private Sector Participation: While the private sector has shown interest, there’s a need for more substantial investment and commitment.
• Technology Development and Innovation: Developing cutting-edge technologies, such as reusable launch vehicles, miniaturized satellites, and advanced propulsion systems, requires substantial investment and research. 
• Regulatory Framework and Licensing: Navigating licensing processes, export controls, and compliance can be complex. 
• Infrastructure and Facilities: Developing and maintaining such infrastructure requires significant capital. 

Major Reforms In Space Sector of India

• Establishment of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, 2020): Acts as a single-window regulator and facilitator for private companies, authorising and promoting their participation in space activities.
• Corporatization via NewSpace India Limited (2019): It was set up as ISRO’s commercial arm to transfer technology, manufacture satellites/launch vehicles through industry, and provide commercial satellite services.
• Indian Space Policy 2023: It laid down roles and responsibilities of organizations such as ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL) and private sector entities.
  • It aims to enhance the participation of research, academia, startups and industry.
• Liberalisation of FDI Norms (2024): The government eased foreign direct investment rules in the space sector to attract global capital and technology, especially in satellite manufacturing and launch services.

Way Ahead

• India aims to commission the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035 and land Indian astronauts on the Moon by 2040.
• Sustainability & Space Governance: Implement the Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) initiative rigorously to ensure responsible orbital practices.
• Advance Indigenous Technology: Prioritise reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), small satellite launchers, and green propulsion systems.
  • Invest in deep-space communication networks and quantum-encrypted satellite communication.

Source: AIR