Prime minister Narendra Modi interacted with CEOs and Founders of 20 Space Startups at Seva Teerth on Friday.

 

CEOs of leading companies in the space sector working in diverse fields ranging from building rockets and reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion system, space and defence intelligence, removing space debris, AI-powered hyperlocal weather and climate intelligence, among others, participated in the interaction. They highlighted the rapid progress being made by India’s private space industry and shared their vision for the sector’s future. They shared that they have put in significant time and effort in building their capabilities and required technologies indigenously in the country, while expressing gratitude for the support received from the PM. They also highlighted the strong support from the government and collaboration within the industry, noting that their teams are highly motivated and working with determination to achieve ambitious goals in the space sector.

 

They recalled that opening the space sector to private participation had generated significant enthusiasm and created new opportunities for industry. They also said that several companies have shown interest in adopting and leveraging technologies developed by India’s emerging private space industry.

 

The PM congratulated the leaders of the space sector for showing courage and taking the lead in a new area. He said that the confidence shown by the sector has strengthened the vision with which the space sector was opened to private participation. He noted that many countries either cannot invest in the space sector or do not wish to invest in it. This gives India a major opportunity to rapidly strengthen its position in the global space sector.

 

Modi encouraged space companies to explore new applications of their technologies and focus on how these can make people's lives easier.

 

He suggested greater collaboration between space sector companies with companies working in other sectors. Companies working on space debris could work with environmental organisations to scale up their technologies. Space technology companies working with the agriculture sector could collaborate with agricultural universities and departments to help farmers make better informed decisions and maximise their output.

 

He called for creating an ecosystem and an environment where, when the world thinks of space, it looks towards India. He said that India’s space sector can act as a magnet to attract global talent, companies and investment to the country.

 

He called for closer collaboration with Atal Tinkering Labs. He said this can create curiosity and interest in the space sector among young children from an early age.

 

The interaction saw participation from CEOs and founders of 20 startups working in space sector including 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 (Hyspace), Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO.