Astronaut to Moon by 2040, own space station by 2035: What you need to know about India's space ambitions
PM Modi urged Indian scientists to plan missions to Venus and Mars. (Photo Credits: PIB/pngtree )
India has ambitious plans in the realm of space exploration, with a vision to send an astronaut to the moon by 2040, backed by the government's unwavering commitment to realising this feat.
The country is also laying the groundwork for constructing a space station by 2035.
These plans were unveiled during a high-level meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the progress of India's space missions, particularly the Gaganyaan Mission, which centers on manned space expeditions, was extensively discussed.
🌕 Prime Minister Modi ji recently examined #ISRO 's strategic goals. India aspires to land an astronaut on the moon by 2040 and establish an indigenous space station by 2035. Upcoming missions include sending a lander to Mars and an orbiter to Venus. pic.twitter.com/ZvFEsyBvyt
— 𝐀𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐤𝐚𝐚𝐫 🇮🇳 (@bjp_aavishkaar) October 17, 2023
What are the new plans?
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India's space endeavors received a significant boost following the successful landing of a spacecraft near the moon's uncharted south pole in August, making India the first country to achieve this feat.
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This accomplishment held particular significance, especially in light of a previous unsuccessful Russian mission.
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During the meeting, the Space Department shared intricate details about the Gaganyaan Mission, highlighting the cutting-edge technology developed for its execution.
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The plan entails approximately 20 major tests, including three unmanned missions for the human-rated launch vehicle.
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Integral components of the mission involve multiple Chandrayaan missions, the implementation of the new rocket technology NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle), the establishment of a fresh launch site, and the development of state-of-the-art laboratories tailored for human exploration.
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A crucial test for the Crew Escape System is scheduled for October 21, marking a significant milestone in the mission's readiness for launch in 2025.
Reviewed the readiness of the Gaganyaan Mission and also reviewed other aspects relating to India’s space exploration efforts.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2023
India’s strides in the space sector over the past few years have been commendable and we are building on them for more successes. This includes the… pic.twitter.com/8Fi6WAxpoc
In pursuit of the 2040 moon mission, a comprehensive lunar exploration blueprint is being formulated, encompassing multiple Chandrayaan missions, the development of an advanced launch vehicle, the establishment of a new launch site, and the creation of cutting-edge human-centric laboratories.
Prime Minister Modi urged Indian scientists to contemplate missions to other celestial bodies such as Venus and Mars, signifying India's growing ambitions in the realm of interplanetary exploration.
India recently celebrated a significant milestone with the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission's moon landing and the Vikram lander test.