India now a world leader in Space technology, says Jitendra Singh

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Department of Space Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday stated that India is making rapid strides towards becoming a world power and has attained the position of a world leader in Space technology due to recent achievements.

"In more ways than one, ISRO and the Indian space activities truly illustrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' concept. The Mangalyaan and the successful launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was developed and executed through 100 percent indigenous sources, material and equipment, making India the first nation which had succeeded in its maiden attempt and ISRO, the first Asian agency to reach Mars orbit," Dr Singh said.

"India has achieved the distinction of providing cost effective launch pads for commercial satellites for several developed countries. Till December 2014, India had already launched over 30 foreign satellites for 19 countries. Its telecommunication satellite network is one of the largest in the world," he added.

Earlier in the day, ISRO chairman Dr AS Kiran Kumar briefed Dr. Singh on some of the projects that the organisation plans to undertake in the near future, adding that it plans to carry out a mission to the sun by 2016, with the Chandrayaan-II Mission to the Moon by 2016-17.