India's Second National Space Day: Celebrating Milestones in Space Exploration

India is set to celebrate its second National Space Day, reflecting on its impressive journey in space exploration, including historic lunar landings and advancements in human spaceflight. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlights the nation's achievements and the significant role of the Indian space sector in driving technological and economic growth. With over 300 registered space start-ups and successful missions under its belt, India's future in space looks promising. The upcoming Gaganyaan mission, featuring a half-humanoid robot, is also on the horizon, showcasing India's commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 22, 2025, 11:16 IST

A Historic Celebration of Space Achievements

New Delhi: India is gearing up to commemorate its second National Space Day this Saturday, celebrating the nation's remarkable journey from launching satellites to achieving human spaceflight.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, shared on X that August 23 marked a historic moment when India became the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon and the first to reach its South Pole, a feat that has inspired future endeavors.

He stated, “Tomorrow, we celebrate the 2nd National Space Day, recognizing India’s evolution from satellites to human spaceflight and our vision of limitless possibilities.”

The Indian space sector is poised to significantly contribute to the nation's technological and economic advancement. Following the pivotal space reforms introduced in 2020, the government has liberalized the sector and established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

Since the reforms were announced, the number of registered space start-ups has surged to over 300.

IN-SPACe has also supported two successful sub-orbital flights conducted by Indian space start-ups in November 2022 and May 2024. Furthermore, six New Generation Enterprises (NGEs) have successfully launched fourteen satellites into orbit, showcasing their capabilities.

The first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, known as G1, is set for launch with the half-humanoid robot, Vyommitra, anticipated in December, as stated by V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

During a press conference in the capital on Friday, he praised IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his groundbreaking mission to the International Space Station, marking the first such mission by an Indian. Shukla is among the astronauts selected for the crewed Gaganyaan mission.

He also mentioned that the recently launched NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite (NISAR) is functioning well and all systems are operational.