India’s space ambitions are accelerating at record speed as ISRO chief V Narayanan confirmed that the organisation is entering one of its busiest years ever, with seven major launches planned before March 2026. From lunar missions to human spaceflight and space station development, India is preparing for a decisive leap in global space leadership.
Seven Launches in One Financial Year
Narayanan revealed that ISRO will execute a mix of commercial and scientific missions over the next few months. These include:
◆A commercial communication satellite
◆Multiple PSLV and GSLV missions
◆India’s first industry-manufactured PSLV, marking a major boost for private participation
He also confirmed that ISRO is now scaling up spacecraft production and will triple its output within three years to meet increasing mission demand.
Chandrayaan-4 Cleared, Launch in 2028
The government has officially approved Chandrayaan-4, India’s most complex lunar mission yet — designed to bring back soil and rock samples from the Moon. Only the US, Russia, and China have achieved this capability so far.
Narayanan said the mission is targeted for 2028, calling it a “major technological milestone” for India.
India–Japan LUPEX Mission Moving Ahead
The LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) mission with Japan’s JAXA will study water ice at the Moon’s South Pole — a key resource for future human settlements.
Indian Space Station by 2035
In a landmark move, ISRO has begun work on an Indian Space Station, aiming to become the third major nation to operate one after the US and China.
First module launch: 2028
Full station completion: 2035
This positions India strongly as the International Space Station nears retirement.
Gaganyaan: India’s Human Spaceflight on Track for 2027
Addressing speculation, the ISRO chairman clarified that the crewed Gaganyaan mission remains scheduled for 2027.
Only the timeline for uncrewed test flights has shifted, with three such missions to take place first.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has further directed ISRO to send Indian astronauts to the Moon by 2040.
India’s Space Economy Set for Explosive Growth
India currently holds 2% of the global space economy, but ISRO is targeting 8% by 2030.
The nation’s space economy:
Today: USD 8.2 billion
By 2033: USD 44 billion (projected)
Global space economy is expected to surge to USD 1.8 trillion by 2035.
Private participation has also skyrocketed, with 450 industries and 330 startups now active in the Indian space ecosystem — compared to just three startups a few years ago.
