India Celebrates National Space Day: From Satellites to Human Flight
India is celebrating its second National Space Day, reflecting on its remarkable journey from satellite development to human spaceflight. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India made history by landing on the Moon’s South Pole and is enhancing its space sector through significant reforms initiated in 2020, resulting in over 300 space start-ups. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has facilitated successful sub-orbital flights and satellite launches, showcasing India’s growing capabilities. The upcoming uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, featuring the Vyommitra robot, highlights India’s ambitions in human spaceflight, while the recent NISAR satellite collaboration with NASA demonstrates strong international partnerships.