National Space Day 2025

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Overview

Why in the News?

India is celebrating its second National Space Day on August 23, 2025.

August 23rd was declared as National Space Day to honour the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
This achieved a safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander at the Shiv Shakti point and deployed the Pragyaan Rover on the lunar surface.
India’s space sector has benefitted from decades of consistent investment.

The theme for this year’s celebration is Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities.

As part of the celebrations, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hosted the National Space Meet 2.0.

$13 billion invested in the last decade, yielding around US $60 billion in GDP contribution.
Currently, India’s export market share in space-related services stands at ₹2,400 crore.
The goal is to boost this to ₹88,000 crore.
In 2023, the space tourism market was valued at $848.28 million.
It is expected to grow to $27,861 million by 2032.
Space Sector has supported 96,000 jobs in the public and private sectors.

Achievements of Indians

Chandrayaan Programme
- The program was conducted in 2008, 2019 and 2023.
- During the programme, it confirmed water molecules on the moon
- In 2023, Chandrayan 3 soft landed near the south pole for the first time.
Mars Orbiter Mission
- Asian mission to reach Martian orbit in the first attempt.
- Atmospheric & terrain data for over 7 years during the mission.

To achieve this ambitious goal of 8% of the global market share, Indian space companies must compete effectively on the international stage.
While the private sector has shown interest, there’s a need for more substantial investment and commitment.
Developing cutting-edge technologies, such as reusable launch vehicles, miniaturised satellites, and advanced propulsion systems, requires substantial investment and research.
Navigating licensing processes, export controls, and compliance can be complex.
Developing and maintaining such infrastructure requires significant capital.

Reforms

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, 2020 as a single-window regulator and facilitator for private companies, authorising and promoting their participation in space activities.
In 2024 Liberalisation of FDI Norms in the space sector to attract global capital and technology, especially in satellite manufacturing and launch services.
Indian Space Policy 2023 laid down roles and responsibilities of organizations such as ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL) and private sector entities.

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