Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman V Narayanan on Friday announced an ambitious roadmap for India’s space programme, unveiling plans for Chandrayaan-4, a Venus Orbiter Mission, and the establishment of a Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2035.
Speaking at the National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi, Narayanan said the first module of India’s own space station will be launched by 2028. He also revealed that by 2040, India aims to land astronauts on the Moon and bring them back safely, placing the country on par with the world’s leading space powers.
“Based on the Prime Minister’s vision, we are going to have Chandrayaan-4, a Venus Orbiter Mission, and BAS by 2035, with the first module ready by 2028. By 2040, India will land on the Moon and return safely, making our space programme comparable to any in the world,” Narayanan said.
Highlighting India’s recent human spaceflight milestone, the ISRO chief credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sending Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) before the Gaganyaan mission. “This was the Prime Minister’s idea—to first send one of our ‘Gaganyatris’ to the ISS. Shukla’s successful mission is a matter of immense pride,” he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, while virtually addressing the event, recalled India’s historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made the nation the first to reach the Moon’s south pole. He said that achieving breakthroughs in space “has become the nature of India and its scientists.” Modi also praised Shukla for hoisting the tricolour at the ISS, describing it as a defining moment for the country’s youth.
Shukla, who became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space, was part of NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, launched on June 25 from Florida. He returned on July 15, splashing down off the California coast before arriving in Delhi on August 17.
Meanwhile, India’s first human space mission, Gaganyaan, has entered its final phase and is scheduled for launch in early 2027. Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair and Shubanshu Shukla will be part of the crew.