**Summary:**
On August 18, 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the Lok Sabha on the critical role of India's space program in achieving "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047. He highlighted the space experiments conducted by Shubhanshu Shukla on the International Space Station (ISS), emphasizing that these experiments, though conducted by an Indian using indigenous technology, will benefit all mankind, particularly in life sciences and plant physiology.
Dr. Singh underscored that Shukla's ISS mission demonstrated India's capabilities in cost-effective space technology, international collaboration, and indigenous innovation. He noted that the mission was undertaken at a fraction of the global cost, showcasing India's ability to combine intellectual resources with advanced scientific planning, facilitated by reforms that opened the space sector to private participation. Over 300 space startups are contributing to India's growing space economy, which is valued at $8 billion.
The experiments conducted by Shukla on the ISS, spanning life sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, and cognitive research, were designed and developed in India, aligning with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" vision. These studies have applications in health, agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning.
Dr. Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the policy ecosystem that accelerated progress in the space sector, citing the 2018 announcement of human spaceflight ambitions. Current collaborations include partnerships with NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX.
Looking ahead, India aims to achieve the following milestones: the Vyommitra humanoid mission in 2026, the launch of the first Indian astronaut under the Gaganyaan program in 2027, an Indian space station by 2035, and an Indian astronaut landing on the Moon by 2040.
This information was released by PIB Delhi (NKRPSM Release ID: 2157631).
Key Entities Referenced
Subhanshu Shukla: Indian astronaut who conducted space experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where Dr. Jitendra Singh discussed the space program.
Gaganyaan: Indian human spaceflight programme, with a mission planned for 2027.
International Space Station (ISS): A space station in low Earth orbit used for research; Subhanshu Shukla conducted experiments on board.
NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a US space agency collaborating with India.
Viksit Bharat: A vision for a developed India by 2047, with the space program playing a critical role.
Vyommitra: Indian humanoid mission planned for 2026.
Department of Space
Space experiments conducted by Subhanshu Shukla
personify India as "Vishwabandhu" Bharat
India’s First Astronaut on ISS Marks New Chapter in
Nation’s Space Journey: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Space Reforms, Startups Driving Rapid Growth in
India’s $8 Billion Space Economy: Minister Tells Lok
Sabha
Gaganyaan by 2027, Indian Space Station by 2035,
Moon Landing by 2040 Part of Roadmap to Viksit
Bharat, says Dr. Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 18 AUG 2025 6:44PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of
State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that the Space experiments conducted by Subhanshu Shukla
personify India as "Vishwabandhu" Bharat because even though these experiments were performed by an
Indian using indigenous kits, their benefits would be available to the entire mankind. Broadly, these
experiments dealt with lifesciences and plant physiology.
Introducing a special discussion on “Critical Role of the Space Programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047” in the
Lok Sabha today, Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission was not
just a symbolic triumph but also a demonstration of India’s growing capability in cost-effective space
technology, international collaboration, and indigenous innovation.
The Minister described the presence of India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a
“historic milestone” and linked the achievement to the country’s march towards becoming a developed nation
by 2047.
The Minister noted that the ISS mission, undertaken at a fraction of the global cost, showcased India’s ability
to combine intellectual resources with advanced scientific planning. “This success reflects the talent of our
scientists and the enabling environment created, when reforms opened up the space sector to private
participation,” he said, adding that more than 300 space startups are now contributing to India’s rapidly
expanding space economy.Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the experiments carried out by Shukla during his stay on the
ISS—spanning life sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, and cognitive research—were designed and
developed in India, reinforcing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He said the benefits of these studies will
extend beyond space, with applications in health, agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning.
Tracing the trajectory of India’s space programme, the Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
leadership for providing the policy ecosystem that accelerated progress. He cited the announcement from the
Red Fort in 2018 that set India’s human spaceflight ambitions in motion, leading up to current collaborations
with NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX.
Looking ahead, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India is on track for a series of major milestones: the Vyommitra
humanoid mission in 2026, the launch of the first Indian astronaut under the Gaganyaan programme in 2027,
an Indian space station by 2035, and an Indian astronaut setting foot on the Moon by 2040. “A few years
before 2047, a young Indian will declare from the lunar surface the arrival of a Viksit Bharat,” he told the
House.“This is not just about one astronaut. It is about India’s place in the world and the dreams of every child who
aspires to reach the stars,” Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2157631)