ISRO Accelerates India’s Space Station Project, 80 Satellites Under Development

Samastipur (Bihar) – India is rapidly advancing plans to establish its own space station while simultaneously progressing with the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, according to ISRO Programme Director Imtiyaz Ahmed.

Ahmed stated that work is currently underway on around 80 satellites, which are expected to play a significant role in scientific research, disaster management, internal security, navigation, and transmitting crucial data from the Gaganyaan mission back to Earth.

Speaking to IANS in Samastipur during celebrations marking the golden jubilee of India’s first indigenously developed satellite, Aryabhata, Ahmed emphasised that such projects are vital for enhancing India’s space capabilities and achieving technological self-reliance.

He highlighted that ISRO is actively working on several key initiatives, including Earth Observation missions, the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NVS), the Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS), the Gaganyaan mission, and the Venus Orbiter Mission. These projects collectively demonstrate India’s growing presence in space exploration, research, and applied space technologies.

Recalling the historic launch of Aryabhata on April 19, 1975, Ahmed noted that the satellite, named after the renowned ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, marked a milestone in India’s scientific development. Despite limited resources and infrastructure during the Cold War period, Aryabhata’s success laid the groundwork for India’s future space missions and helped establish ISRO as a globally recognised space agency. He added that the satellite’s legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists and engineers.

To commemorate Aryabhata’s 50th anniversary, ISRO has initiated a nationwide outreach programme aimed at school students. As part of this initiative, the first event in Bihar was conducted at Holy Mission High School in Samastipur, with participation from students of five different senior secondary schools.

During the programme, students were introduced to ISRO’s achievements and career opportunities in the space sector. Scientists also shared their personal journeys, mentioning that many of them studied in Hindi-medium schools, encouraging students to pursue ambitious goals and careers in space science and technology.

With inputs from IANS