Prime Minister Narendra Modi has interacted with the CEOs of 20 space startups, including Skyroot Aerospace, ahead of National Space Day (August 23) to mark the historic Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing.

Urging young entrepreneurs to turn India into a global space hub, PM Modi called on startups to create an ecosystem strong enough to pull top global talent. “I believe that we can draw the entire talent pool because of you, and that will become our strength,” he said. He added that India’s competitive edge lies in its cost-efficiency, deep talent pool, and high risk tolerance.

One of the founders said that Indians working abroad have begun returning due to the current boom in the sector.

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During the interaction, startup founders shared progress on several cutting-edge projects, including establishing global ground-station networks, building satellite engines, developing space-debris-removal robotics, and pioneering orbital docking and refuelling capabilities. One startup highlighted ongoing research into manufacturing pharmaceuticals in microgravity environments.

Pawan Chandana, co-founder of Skyroot Aerospace, which recently became the first private Indian company to conduct an orbital launch, shared ambitious growth plans following their recent mission.

“We already have three factories with the capacity to manufacture one rocket per month. By mid-next year, we plan to execute one launch per month, with the ultimate dream of scaling to multiple launches a day,” Chandana said, noting the company has already secured eight launch contracts, mostly from foreign clients.

Startup leaders praised the government’s supportive policy framework since the sector opened to private players in 2020. Emphasising policy continuity, PM Modi assured entrepreneurs of unwavering support.

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“You have shown courage in a new space, and importantly, you have trusted the government. When we were opening up… whatever we decide, we should not make changes so that whoever is investing can trust that no one will leave my hand.”