New Delhi: In a landmark announcement at the 3rd Indian Space Conclave, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed that India is set to launch the European Union’s Proba-3 satellite in early December. This mission marks another milestone in India’s ascent as a global space leader and underscores the growing partnership between India and the EU in space exploration.
Proba-3, a solar observation satellite, represents the third EU satellite to be launched by India, following Proba-1 and Proba-2. Its primary mission is to study the solar corona and provide critical insights into solar dynamics, adding to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) expanding portfolio of scientific missions. “India and Europe are together reaching out to the Sun,” remarked Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighting the significance of this mission and India’s role as a trusted partner in international space collaborations.
Dr. Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative policy changes for India’s space sector’s rapid growth. The 2020 reforms opened doors for private and international partnerships, enabling India to now host over 300 space startups involved in a wide array of projects. These changes, Dr. Singh emphasized, have shifted the sector from a tightly controlled government sphere to a vibrant hub of innovation and collaboration.
The conclave also showcased the contributions of India’s startup ecosystem, with Dr. Singh noting a drastic rise in space-focused startups, which have provided a boost to domestic talent and drawn back scientists from overseas, including from NASA. The Minister also unveiled SPADE, a new product from Suhora Technologies, and presented the ISpA Space Industry Awards.
Strengthening Indo-European Ties in Space Exploration
EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Herve Delphin, hailed India as a “cost-effective, dynamic space power” and lauded its recent successes, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He highlighted the EU’s eagerness to deepen collaborations with India in Earth observation, training, and space security. Ambassador Delphin outlined plans to build on existing partnerships, such as India’s work with the EU’s Copernicus program, and emphasized the potential for increased cooperation in space governance and responsible practices ahead of the 2025 EU-India Summit in Delhi.
Future Goals: Gaganyaan, Space Station, and Space Tourism
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh outlined India’s ambitious space goals, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and the development of an independent space station by 2035. Plans for future lunar missions and space tourism by 2040 showcase India’s forward-looking strategy, driven by both governmental initiatives and private sector engagement. Dr. Singh closed his address by reinforcing India’s commitment to international partnerships and highlighting the space sector’s role in realizing India’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
Key industry leaders, including Jayant Patil, Chairman of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), S. Somnath, Chairman of ISRO, and Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of ISpA, attended the event, underscoring the momentum in India’s evolving space ecosystem. The upcoming launch of Proba-3 not only strengthens Indo-European relations but also propels India closer to its goal of being a global leader in space science and technology.