India’s space push gets rocket boost! PM Modi meets 20 startup CEOs

According to a statement issued by the Indian government, the participating companies are 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.

During the interaction, the startup leaders highlighted the rapid progress of India’s private space industry and shared their vision for its future.

They said their companies had invested significant time and effort in developing capabilities and technologies indigenously in India, while expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for the support extended to the sector.

The founders and CEOs also highlighted the strong backing from the government and growing collaboration within the industry. They said their teams remained highly motivated and were working with determination to achieve ambitious goals in the space sector.

The industry leaders recalled that the opening up of India’s space sector to private participation had generated significant enthusiasm and created new opportunities for companies.

They also noted that several companies had expressed interest in adopting and leveraging technologies developed by India’s emerging private space industry.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated the space-sector leaders for demonstrating the courage to enter and take the lead in a new and challenging field.

He said the confidence demonstrated by the industry had strengthened the vision behind opening the space sector to private participation.

Modi noted that many countries either lack the resources to invest in the space sector or do not wish to make such investments, presenting India with a major opportunity to rapidly strengthen its position in the global space industry.

The Prime Minister also encouraged space companies to explore new applications for their technologies and focus on developing solutions that can make people's lives easier.

He called for greater collaboration between space-sector companies and organisations working in other fields.

For instance, companies developing technologies to tackle space debris could collaborate with environmental organisations to scale up their solutions. Similarly, space technology companies working in agriculture could partner with agricultural universities and government departments to help farmers make better-informed decisions and maximise their output.

Modi called for the creation of an ecosystem in which “when the world thinks of space, it looks towards India.” He said India’s space sector could become a magnet for global talent, companies and investment.

The Prime Minister also called for closer collaboration between the space industry and Atal Tinkering Labs, saying such partnerships could spark curiosity and generate interest in space technology among children from an early age.

The interaction was attended by CEOs and founders of 20 space startups, 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.