Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised India’s rapidly expanding private space sector, highlighting the courage, innovation and risk-taking ability of entrepreneurs who are building a new generation of space technology companies.
During an interaction with space startup chief executive officers, Modi said the government’s consistent policies had been aimed at creating confidence among entrepreneurs and investors, particularly those willing to take risks in emerging fields.
Modi Says Policy Stability Built Entrepreneurial Confidence
Modi said entrepreneurs had shown courage by entering a relatively new sector and stressed that government policy must remain predictable.
He said those taking risks should feel confident that they would not be abandoned if their ventures faced difficulties. According to Modi, creating this trust was one of the government’s key efforts while opening the space sector to private participation.
The Prime Minister also asked startup leaders about investor confidence and whether the opening of the sector was helping their businesses grow. Entrepreneurs said investor confidence had strengthened significantly following successful launches and other technological breakthroughs.
Skyroot Eyes Monthly Launches, Bigger Global Ambitions
A representative of Skyroot Aerospace described the company as India’s first space-tech unicorn and highlighted its progress in developing private launch capabilities.
The CEO said the company had successfully conducted a major private rocket launch on July 18 and described the achievement as only the beginning. Skyroot aims to move towards one launch every month by the middle of next year.
The company has already established three factories and has developed capacity for one rocket every month. Its longer-term ambition is considerably larger, with a vision of eventually conducting one launch every week and, ultimately, several launches each day.
The startup also highlighted its work on advanced rocket engines, describing its technology as being among the most modern in the world. Testing of the new engine is currently underway.
Global Talent Returning to India’s Space Industry
Modi said India’s emerging space ecosystem could become a powerful magnet for global talent. Startup leaders noted that Indians working in the United States and Europe were increasingly interested in returning to the country and contributing to its growing space industry.
The Prime Minister said India should build an environment where talented people from across the world want to build their careers and businesses in the country.
He suggested that Indian startups and space organisations could become major destinations for global professionals, strengthening the country’s talent pool and technological capabilities.
Indian Space Startups Target Global Markets
Another entrepreneur shared plans to establish a global ground-station network within the next 18 months. Ground stations are crucial for communication with satellites and could help Indian space companies expand their international operations.
A separate CEO explained that the company develops propulsion systems used by satellites to move between different positions in space. The technology can support satellite operations for periods ranging from five to 15 years.
The company has reportedly received strong international interest, with the CEO crediting government support for helping Indian companies gain greater confidence in exporting their space technologies.
Modi said India had significant advantages in the sector, including competitive costs, a deep talent pool and a strong willingness among Indians to take risks. He expressed confidence that these strengths could help India establish itself rapidly in the global space economy.
Startups Develop Satellite Removal and Refuelling Technology
The interaction also showcased technologies aimed at addressing future challenges in space.
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One startup presented a robotic spacecraft designed to capture non-functional satellites and remove them from orbit. Such technology could become increasingly important as the number of satellites and other objects in space continues to rise.
Another company said it was developing docking and in-space refuelling technologies. Its long-term vision is to establish a fuel station in space, potentially creating infrastructure that could support future spacecraft and extended space missions.
Space Pharma and Satellite Manufacturing Innovation
The Prime Minister also heard from Antariksh, the founder of what was described as India’s first space pharmaceutical startup.
The company is developing satellites capable of manufacturing pharmaceutical products in space before bringing them back to Earth. The founder explained that the name Antariksh was given to him by his mother and was not connected to a family background in the space industry.
The interaction highlighted how India’s private space ecosystem is expanding beyond rocket launches into pharmaceuticals, propulsion, robotics, satellite services and other advanced technologies.
International Contracts and Space-Based Solutions
One entrepreneur said that after a successful launch, the company secured eight launch contracts within a month, with most of them coming from international customers.
Another startup discussed plans to introduce its innovation for one million farmers, signalling the growing potential of space technology in agriculture and other sectors beyond traditional satellite applications.
The Prime Minister welcomed the achievements and encouraged entrepreneurs to continue pursuing ambitious goals.
The interaction underscored the transformation of India’s space sector following the opening of greater opportunities for private companies. Modi said private satellites and space technologies were now helping showcase India’s capabilities to the world.
The government’s push for private participation, combined with entrepreneurial ambition and growing international demand, is positioning India’s space startups as an increasingly important force in the country’s technology and economic growth story.
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