India on Friday, August 23rd is celebrating ‘National Space Day’ as the landmark achievement of India’s third lunar mission, Chandrayaan 3. This is a year after the spacecraft by ISRO successfully landed on the surface of the Moon on this day last year. Post-landing the spacecraft is indulged in investigation into the elemental composition of the Earth’s only natural satellite, its surface plasma environment, lunar seismicity, and thermophysical features.
PM Modi wished everyone on the occasion of the first ‘National Space Day’ lauding the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for making the country proud. “Greetings to everyone on the first National Space Day. We recall with great pride our nation’s achievements in the space sector. It is also a day to laud the contributions of our space scientists. Our Government has taken a series of futuristic decisions relating to this sector and we will do even more in the times to come,” PM Modi posted on X sharing a video.
Greetings to everyone on the first National Space Day. We recall with great pride our nation’s achievements in the space sector. It is also a day to laud the contributions of our space scientists. Our Government has taken a series of futuristic decisions relating to this sector… pic.twitter.com/E7QcNDSm4u
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2024
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences also commented on the occasion and praised the Narendra Modi government for providing an enabling environment for space research. He indicated that India never had a lack of talent or willingness to think beyond science, but what was lacking was an enabling environment that was provided by the current leadership.
.#NationalSpaceDay Message:#ISRO pic.twitter.com/22t5LForoH
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 23, 2024
Singh further also mentioned that Chandrayaan 3 was a success and Chandrayaan 4 and 5 are soon to follow. He also stated that India is planning to send the first Indian to space through the Gaganyaan Mission by the year 2025.
Notably on the occasion of Independence Day, 15th August, PM Modi had highlighted the remarkable progress and vibrancy of India’s space sector. PM Modi emphasized the revolutionary reforms made in the industry, which have freed it from previous restraints and opened the door to private sector participation.
“Earlier our space sector was in shackles, but we have freed it. It is an opportunity for our young startups. Today we are seeing private satellites being launched. When intentions are right, we get the desired results,” PM Modi was quoted as saying.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology then supported the Prime Minister’s views, pointing out that the number of space start-ups has risen by 200 times in the last two years. This expansion is due to the Centre’s determination to open up the space industry to private enterprises and encourage public-private collaborations. “The space sector had very few StartUps initially but now it has around 300 StartUps, many with global potential,” Singh said.
As per the reports, in a significant policy shift, the Indian government now permits 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the space sector, easing the production of satellite components and systems. The Union Budget included an additional Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund for space technology start-ups.
The ISRO meanwhile is celebrating India’s 1st National Space Day by organizing an event at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the live streaming of which is ongoing on the ISRO’s official YouTube channel.
Significance of the National Space Day
The launch of National Space Day commemorates India’s technological advances in space research and exploration. The success of Chandrayaan-3 not only established India as a major player in the global space sector but also represents ISRO scientists and engineers’ devotion and hard work.
This milestone demonstrates India’s potential to accomplish achievements in space exploration, with Chandrayaan-3 standing as a model of ingenuity, precision, and endurance. Furthermore, National Space Day has been founded to encourage the next generation of Indians to seek jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and contribute to India’s future space endeavors. The theme for India’s first National Space Day is ‘Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga’.
Chandrayaan 3: India’s landmark success
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) accomplished a historic achievement by successfully landing the Vikam Lander on the moon’s southern polar zone on August 23, 2023. India became the world’s first country to land on the moon’s southern pole region, and the fourth overall.
The Vikram Lander, supported by the Pragyaan Rover, touched down on the lunar surface, marking an important milestone in India’s space research ambitions.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission’s accomplishment demonstrates India’s expanding space technological capabilities and emphasizes the necessity of international collaboration in space exploration.
Post-landing the spacecraft is indulged in investigation into the elemental composition of the Earth’s only natural satellite, its surface plasma environment, lunar seismicity, and thermophysical features.
Chandrayaan 4, 5 to follow
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed delivering a curtain raiser for the first National Space Day, “Chandrayaan 3 was a milestone, Chandrayaan 4 and 5 will follow.” He made the remarks while speaking with the media on the eve of National Space Day 2024 at the National Media Centre on 22nd August. He also stated that India is planning to send the first Indian to space through the Gaganyaan Mission by the year 2025.
He also pointed out that the number of space start-ups has risen by 200 times in the last two years. This expansion is due to the Centre’s determination to open up the space industry to private enterprises and encourage public-private collaborations.
