India's Ambitious Space Plans: Gaganyaan and Future Space Station

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled India's ambitious plans for the Gaganyaan mission and the development of a national space station. During the 79th Independence Day celebrations, he emphasized the country's commitment to self-reliance in the space sector. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the Axiom-4 mission, is a key figure in these developments. With ISRO's efforts, India aims to launch its first human spaceflight by 2027 and establish a fully operational space station by 2035. This initiative reflects the growing involvement of startups and the youth in India's space endeavors, showcasing the nation's aspirations for the future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 15, 2025, 15:44 IST

Prime Minister Modi's Vision for India's Space Future

During the 79th Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India is making strides towards self-reliance in the space sector. He confirmed that the nation is preparing for its first indigenous human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. Modi also revealed plans for India to develop its own space station.

He mentioned that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently participated in the Axiom-4 private space mission, has returned to Earth and will be back in India soon.

On this significant occasion, Modi emphasized the pride the nation feels in its space endeavors. He stated, 'Our country takes pride in our space sector. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station... He will be back in India in the coming days.'

ISRO's Plans for the Future

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively working on the Gaganyaan mission, which is expected to launch in 2027. Modi reiterated, 'We will build our own space station.'

Plans for the Space Station by 2035

The first module of India's space station is slated for launch in 2028, with the complete station expected to be operational by 2035. Modi highlighted that recent reforms have enabled over 300 startups to engage in the space sector, stating, 'Thousands of young people are working on this. It reflects our faith in the power of our youth.'

Shubhanshu Shukla's Historic Mission

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on the Axiom-4 mission on June 25, 2025, spending 18 days at the International Space Station (ISS) before returning on July 15. During his time in space, he conducted several experiments.

A 39-year-old officer of the Indian Air Force and a test pilot, Shukla is the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984 and the first Indian to visit the ISS.

Shukla completed his inaugural space journey under the Axiom-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight supported by ISRO and NASA, and operated by Axiom Space.