PM Modi calls on space startups to widen tech use, make India a global hub
PM Modi urged space startups to expand tech applications across sectors and position India as a global hub for space talent, companies, and investment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged India's private space industry to look beyond current applications and explore how space technologies can improve lives across sectors. Interacting with CEOs and founders of 20 space startups at Seva Teerth, he called for deeper collaboration between space companies and fields such as agriculture and environmental protection.
Modi suggested that companies working on space debris could partner with environmental organisations, while those developing agricultural space technologies could work with agricultural universities and departments to help farmers make better-informed decisions and improve output.
He also pitched for creating an ecosystem where the world looks towards India when it thinks of space, saying the country's space sector can act as a magnet to attract global talent, companies, and investment. He noted that many countries either cannot invest in the space sector or do not wish to, presenting India with an opportunity to strengthen its global position.
The startups represented diverse areas including rockets and reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion systems, space and defence intelligence, space debris removal, and AI-powered hyperlocal weather and climate intelligence.
During the interaction, the CEOs and founders highlighted the rapid progress of India's private space industry and said companies worldwide were showing growing interest in adopting technologies developed by India's emerging space sector. They also said the opening of the sector to private participation had created new opportunities and expressed appreciation for government support.
Modi congratulated the leaders for taking the lead in a new area, saying their confidence had strengthened the vision behind opening the sector. He also called for closer collaboration between space companies and Atal Tinkering Labs to spark curiosity and interest in space among young children.
The participating startups included Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, GalaxEye, PierSight, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, SatSure, Suhora Technologies, Manastu Space, Astrobase, TakeMe2Space, VyomIC, Cosmoserve Space, OrbitAID Aerospace, SkyServe, Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs, and mistEO.