PM Modi Celebrates National Space Day, Announces Plan for India’s Own Space Station

New Delhi, Aug 23, 2025 — On the occasion of National Space Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, celebrating India’s rapid strides in the global space race and unveiling ambitious plans to build the country’s own space station following the success of the Gaganyaan mission.

Greeting citizens and acknowledging the contributions of scientists, startups, and astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, PM Modi highlighted India’s progress in cutting-edge space technologies like semi-cryogenic engines and electric propulsion.

“Today, India is rapidly advancing in breakthrough technologies. From reaching the Moon and Mars to exploring deep space, our journey is only accelerating,” the Prime Minister said.

Encouraging Youth and Startups

Recalling his recent meeting with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who proudly hoisted the Indian tricolour on the International Space Station, PM Modi invited young Indians to join a newly planned national astronaut pool to contribute to the country’s future space missions.

He also encouraged private players to step up, stating:

“In the next five years, India can create five unicorns in the space sector. From five or six major rocket launches a year, we aim to achieve 50 annual launches — almost one every week.”

India’s Rising Space Power

PM Modi underlined India’s global leadership in space science, noting recent milestones, including:

Becoming the fourth country in the world with docking and undocking capabilities in space.

Achieving the historic Chandrayaan-3 landing on the Moon’s South Pole in 2023.

Hosting the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, where Indian students earned medals among participants from 60+ countries.

He also lauded initiatives like the Indian Space Hackathon and Robotics Challenge, aimed at inspiring young innovators to explore space technology.

This year marks the second National Space Day, with the 2025 theme:

“Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities,”reflecting India’s journey from historic astronomical advances to cutting-edge human spaceflight missions.