India to Establish Space Station by 2035, Aim for Moon Landing by 2040

India's space program is making notable strides with ambitious plans for future missions and infrastructure. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), India's space station, is expected to be operational by 2035. Additionally, India aims to send an astronaut to space by 2025 and land the first Indian on the Moon by 2040. The Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight, is slated for launch next year, marking a significant milestone in the nation's space exploration efforts.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to collaborate internationally, notably with NASA, and is recognized for its cost-effective satellite launches. The 2023 New Space Policy has been praised for allowing private sector participation in ISRO's activities, leading to a significant increase in digital space startups, from one in 2021 to nearly 300. This policy change is expected to propel the space economy to grow fivefold over the next decade, reaching an estimated $44 billion. The sector saw an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore in 2023 alone, reflecting its growing importance and potential.