Space Technology

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday said the convergence of streams like space technology, AI, quantum technologies, robotics, semiconductors and high-performance computing will determine a nation's geopolitical positioning. Speaking here on the 3rd National Space Day, the Union culture and tourism minister also said private participation in the space sector does not mean reducing the importance of entities like ISRO. Privatisation of space is the "democratisation of space opportunities," Shekhawat asserted at the event, organised by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Science. Today is the age of space technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, robotics, humanoids, advanced materials, semiconductors and high-performance computing, he said, adding that life will certainly be transformed in the coming years. "Just as science is ultimately integrating in the form of a pyramid, in the coming

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed creating an aura around the private sector in space research so that people worldwide feel that if they want to make a career, they should go to India. In an interaction with CEOs and founders of 20 space startups on Friday, Modi also highlighted India's cost-competitiveness in launching space ventures. He emphasised that the country's vast talent pool and high risk-taking capacity would allow India to rapidly establish a dominant position in the global space sector, according to the transcript of the interaction, which was released on Sunday. The prime minister said the world must now be looking for Indian startups wondering who is leading in this space. Because whenever a breakthrough happens, people's attention shifts immediately, he said. One of the CEOs told the prime minister that after India opened the space industry for private players, a very positive trend was observed and many Indian citizens living in the US and Europe now wan

He said India has been steadily expanding its capabilities since launching its space programme 64 years ago

More than 85 per cent of India's $11.4 billion deeptech funding since 2015 was raised in the past six years, as the sector moved from early-stage proof points to commercial validation

India has around 440 space technology startups, while private investment in the sector rose nearly six-fold to $618.5 million by March 2026, government data show

The acquisition brings StarOps' satellite platforms, indigenous spacecraft technologies and engineering expertise into GalaxEye, strengthening its capabilities across the satellite value chain

The made-in-India satellite battery-powered an experimental payload at an altitude of 450 km, validating its performance through launch and harsh orbital conditions

Skyroot's orbital launch and unicorn status prove policy reforms fuelled rapid industry growth

Experts say breakthrough paves the way for launch vehicles, manufacturing, and commercial space services

India's first private orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, carrying multiple technology demonstration payloads and a postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lifted off from this spaceport on Saturday. Named "Mission Aagaman" (arrival), the test flight's launch marks a historic milestone for the country's commercial space sector, executed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. On a cloudy day, the seven-storey-tall, four-stage Vikram-1 rocket lifted off at 12.05 pm on Saturday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, here. Following a "planned hold," due to apparent navigation issues, the launch was revised 35 minutes late than the original prefixed time of 11.30 am. After its initial journey of a little short of 16 minutes, Vikram-1 is expected to place the payloads, both domestic and foreign, into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 450 km with an inclination of 60 degrees. Vikram-1, named after the legendary Vikram Sarabhai who is often regarded as the Fat

Skyroot Aerospace's maiden orbital mission marks a watershed moment for India's private space industry, showing the impact of policy reforms as India looks to emerge as a global commercial space hub

Stock closed at $135.27, marginally above its offer price after a fourth straight day of declines, reflecting cooling investor enthusiasm

Bengaluru-based Space start-up Galaxeye has lost contact with its satellite Mission Drishti, the world's first OptoSAR satellite, which was launched in May, and the likelihood of recovery currently appears low. According to the company, the connection was lost after the satellite encountered an anomaly following a geomagnetic solar storm. "Initial root cause analysis indicates that radiation effects associated with the event likely impacted a critical onboard system. Communication with the spacecraft subsequently became intermittent and was eventually lost," said Galaxeye. The satellite integrated electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform. While EO sensors capture high-resolution images during sunlight and clear skies, SAR sensors provide all-weather and all-time images, using radar pulses. Mission Drishti successfully established communication and completed a major portion of its planned Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).

Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 will carry technology demonstrations, a robotic arm experiment and artwork as India prepares for its first privately developed orbital rocket launch

Satellite manufacturing and launch alliance aims to build sovereign space ecosystem

Elon Musk-led Starlink continues to be in active discussion with the Indian government and has received encouraging feedback on its capabilities to advance India's connectivity goals, a senior official of the satellite firm said on Wednesday. Starlink has applied for a licence to start satellite communications services in India. The government has issued a letter of intent to the company and the final license is awaited. "Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources. We have worked with the Government through all of the required regulatory and compliance processes in a transparent and responsible manner," Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations, said on social media platform X. Her post came in response to a source-based report that claimed India has effectively frozen approvals for Starlink to begin commercial operations, citing concerns

India explores 'bodyguard satellites' to shield space assets after close orbital encounters, partnering startups to boost surveillance and defence in low-Earth orbit

The toll of such risk is felt not only by the astronauts, but also by their loved ones - long before liftoff occurs

Low Earth orbit is seeing a surge in investments as companies like SpaceX, Nvidia and Amazon expand satellite networks, driving new business opportunities