Space Tech for Everyday Life: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Shares India’s Vision at Global Conference
New Delhi, Sep 8: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh kicked off the International Conference on Space 2025 with a powerful message. He stressed that the real power of space technology shines when it touches daily life, boosts every sector, and helps ordinary people. Speaking virtually at the event’s opening session, Singh painted a picture of how space tech can change agriculture, health, education, urban development, and even governance for the better.
"The true value of space lies in its applications across everyday life—from agriculture and health to education, urban development, and governance," Singh said. He added, "Space must empower every sector and serve the common citizen." This approach, he explained, aligns with India’s big goals for sustainability, equity, and global progress in space exploration.
Singh highlighted India’s incredible space journey, full of perseverance and innovation. "Let us dream together, innovate together, and build together—transforming space from a distant frontier into a shared horizon of unity and progress," he urged the audience. He praised recent successes like the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole and put us among top spacefaring nations. He also celebrated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian Air Force officer to reach the International Space Station.
Looking ahead, India is gearing up for exciting milestones. "India is entering a transformative phase in its space journey," Singh noted, with plans for a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 and an Indian astronaut walking on the Moon by 2040. The country is also eyeing missions to Mars, Venus, and asteroids, plus the human spaceflight program Gaganyaan to send Indians into orbit.
A big part of this growth comes from reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. These changes have opened the Indian space sector to private companies, startups, and academia. Today, over 300 startups are buzzing in areas like launch vehicles, satellites, and ground systems. "This is not only fostering innovation but also generating jobs, investments, and opportunities for young professionals," Singh said.
India isn’t going it alone—international collaboration is key. Singh pointed to partnerships like the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission with the US and the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission with Japan. "Such cooperation demonstrates how space can serve as a powerful platform for global engagement," he remarked.
Skill development is another focus for India’s space strategy. Through ISRO’s outreach programs, academic Centres of Excellence, and ties between industry and universities, the nation is training talent in satellite design, propulsion, AI-driven space applications, and even space law.
The conference, hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has attracted over 500 delegates from India and around the world. It includes government officials, academics, industry leaders, and startup founders, all discussing the future of space technology.
