New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 space startups at Seva Teerth, with discussions focusing on the rapid growth of India’s private space industry, wider applications of space technologies and opportunities to strengthen the country’s position in the global space sector.
The interaction brought together space startups working across diverse areas, including rocket development, 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.
The CEOs and founders highlighted the rapid progress being made by India’s private space industry and shared their vision for the future of the sector.
They said they have invested significant time and effort in building capabilities and developing required technologies indigenously in the country, while expressing gratitude for the support received from the Prime Minister.
The leaders also highlighted the strong support from the government and collaboration within the industry. They said their teams are highly motivated and working with determination to achieve ambitious goals in the space sector.
Space Startups Highlight Growing Global Interest
During the interaction, space startups recalled that opening the space sector to private participation had generated significant enthusiasm and created multiple new opportunities for industry.
The CEOs and founders also highlighted the growing interest from companies across the world in adopting and leveraging technologies developed by India’s emerging private space industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the leaders of the space sector for showing courage and taking the lead in a new area. He said the confidence shown by the sector has strengthened the vision with which the space sector was opened to private participation.
The Prime Minister noted that many countries either cannot invest in the space sector or do not wish to invest in it. He said this gives India a major opportunity to rapidly strengthen its position in the global space sector.
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PM Modi Calls for Wider Applications of Space Technology
Prime Minister Modi encouraged space startups and other space companies to explore new applications of their technologies and focus on how these can make people’s lives easier.
He also emphasised greater collaboration between space sector companies and companies working in other sectors.
The Prime Minister suggested that companies working on space debris could collaborate with environmental organisations to scale up their technologies.
Similarly, 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.
The emphasis on cross-sector collaboration is aimed at expanding the practical applications of technologies developed by India’s space startups and strengthening their contribution to social development.
India’s Space Sector Can Attract Global Talent and Investment
Prime Minister Modi 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.
The Prime Minister’s interaction with space startups also underlined the opportunities emerging for India’s private space industry as companies develop indigenous capabilities and technologies across multiple areas.
PM Modi Calls for Collaboration With Atal Tinkering Labs
Prime Minister Modi also called for closer collaboration between space startups and Atal Tinkering Labs.
He said such collaboration can create curiosity and interest in the space sector among young children from an early age.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of nurturing interest among young minds and encouraging greater engagement with space technologies from an early stage.
20 Space Startups Participate in Interaction
The interaction saw participation from CEOs and founders of 20 space startups working in the space sector.
The participating companies 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 (Hyspace), Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO.
The companies are working across areas ranging from launch vehicles and satellites to advanced propulsion, avionics, space intelligence, space debris management and AI-powered weather and climate intelligence.
The interaction highlighted the growing role of space startups in India’s private space sector and the opportunities for these companies to develop indigenous technologies, collaborate across industries and contribute to wider applications of space technology.
