New Delhi, Dec 18: India’s inaugural Sun/Solar mission, “Aditya-L1,” is set to reach its destination at Lagrange Point 1 in early January 2024, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced on Monday. In tandem, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) will initiate a series of tests related to the country’s pioneering human space mission, Gaganyaan, throughout the upcoming year.
During an exclusive interview on the “Samvad Exclusive” program, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, credited the successful progression to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary steps. Modi’s decision to open India’s Space sector to private entities has led to a surge of interest from startups and industries.
With the unlocking of Space Technology, Dr Jitendra emphasized that the public has been able to witness major space events, including the launches of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya. Notably, over 10,000 people attended the Aditya launch, and approximately 1,000 media persons covered the Chandrayaan-3 launch. The minister highlighted that Space Startups in India have attracted investments exceeding Rs. 1,000 crore in the current financial year from April to December 2023, indicating the sector’s rapid growth.
Dr Singh noted the remarkable expansion of the private Space Startup sector, which has grown from one startup four years ago to nearly 190 today. He highlighted India’s late entry into the space race, stating that the nation’s Space programme now captures global attention, with Chandrayaan-3 studies generating significant anticipation.
Underlining India’s advancements in Space Applications, the minister cited its utilization in diverse sectors such as Infrastructure Development, ‘Svamitva’ GPS land-mapping, and Smart Cities. He emphasized that Space research now plays a crucial role in the daily lives of individuals, impacting areas like Clean Energy, food preservation, and healthcare.
He also highlighted the significant role of non-Government funding in fostering research and development. He mentioned the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), which is poised to receive approximately 70% of its funding from non-Government sources, contributing to a public-private partnership (PPP) model for India’s Science and Technology goals.
Referencing PM Modi’s emphasis on ‘Vocal for Local,’ Dr Jitendra Singh noted a surge in the sale of local products and a shift in the trend toward the use of Khadi. He highlighted the return of experts in Space research who had previously migrated abroad, establishing startups in India. Dr Singh commended the government’s commitment to ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,’ leading to increased transparency and citizen participation for the betterment of ‘Ease of Living’ for the common man.
