ISRO Chairman unveils plans for India’s space station by 2035, human moon landing by 2040

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan has announced that India will establish its own space station by 2035 and will send an astronaut to the moon and bring them back to Earth independently by 2040.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan taking part in the convocation of Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, in Kurnool on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
U. SUBRAMANYAM

Dr. Narayanan was speaking as the chief guest at the convocation of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) here on Sunday. He highlighted the significant strides India has made in the fields of space and technology, noting that the country is emerging as a global leader by placing strong emphasis on innovation and research.

“By 2035, we are going to build our own space station, and by 2040 we are going to send our own human being—our brother or sister—to the moon,” he said, addressing the gathering of students, their parents, and faculty members of the premier institute.

Dr. Narayanan recalled how India’s space programme began modestly, with the launch of a 17-metre rocket that could carry only 35 kilograms. Today, he noted, the country is building rockets as tall as 40-storey buildings, capable of lifting payloads of up to 74,000 kilograms. He added that the Aditya mission has made India one of only four countries to send satellites to study the Sun, and it has provided an abundance of valuable data to the scientific community. “ISRO also successfully conducted a docking experiment this year, placing India among the few nations capable of performing such advanced space maneuvers,” he said. Looking ahead, Dr. Narayanan said India is preparing for a Venus orbiter mission and is in the process of launching several rockets and satellites, with strong involvement from numerous start-ups working in the space sector.

“What began as a humble effort, where rockets were transported on bicycles, has now witnessed phenomenal growth. Today, the entire world is watching us. By 2040, India will be on par with any other country in the field of space technology,” he asserted, adding that ISRO’s efforts will also contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat. During the convocation, a total of 206 degrees were conferred, including 183 Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), 19 Master of Technology (M.Tech.), and four Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.