Former ISRO Chairman and renowned space scientist Dr. S. Somanath said that India’s shift from a government-funded model to a stakeholder-based space ecosystem has triggered a wave of innovations. He said private satellite manufacturers, small launch vehicle developers and data service providers are gaining momentum in the country. He said this expanding ecosystem is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits, job creation, and global market participation.
Delivering a talk on “Space Sector in India: Opportunities for Business and Startups,” at Panjab University, Chandigarh, today, Dr Somnath said India aims to have a permanent human presence in space, a Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit, and indigenous missions exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. He said that India is not just following global trends rather shaping them, with reusable launchers, electric propulsion, and quantum-secure space communications. He called on universities to actively participate in building a self-sustaining space research and industrial ecosystem.
Referring to various problems being faced by farmers, Dr. Somanath showcased how satellite-based technologies are now transforming farming. He said that the platforms such as Bhuvan – the Indian Geo-Platform of ISRO, are providing web-based geospatial services for agriculture, forestry, disaster response and governance that are benefitting states like Punjab and Haryana. These innovations can help farmers improve productivity, reduce risk, access timely information, and make evidence-based decisions.
