The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set an ambitious target to triple its annual spacecraft production capacity within the next three years, a move aimed at meeting the growing demands of national and international missions. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath revealed the plan during a recent interaction, stating that the agency currently produces around 10 spacecraft per year and intends to scale this to 30. This expansion is part of India’s broader strategy to grow its space economy from USD 8.2 billion to USD 44 billion by 2033, supported by over 450 industries and more than 330 startups that have entered the sector following policy reforms in 2020.

At the heart of this accelerated roadmap is Chandrayaan-4, scheduled for launch in 2028, which will attempt to collect lunar samples and return them to Earth—a complex feat previously accomplished only by the United States, Russia, and China. Building directly on the success of Chandrayaan-3’s historic soft landing in 2023, the mission will require advanced propulsion systems, robotic sampling tools, and precision re-entry technology. Somanath emphasized that Chandrayaan-4 will focus on scientific analysis of lunar geology while demonstrating India’s capability in end-to-end sample-return operations.

To support this aggressive timeline, ISRO has lined up seven launches before the end of the current fiscal year, including communication satellites and scientific payloads using the PSLV and GSLV platforms. A significant milestone will be the first fully industry-built PSLV, marking a shift toward greater private-sector involvement in launch vehicle manufacturing. Meanwhile, the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program remains on schedule, with uncrewed test flights planned for 2025 and the crewed mission firmly set for 2027, ensuring rigorous safety validation before sending Indian astronauts into orbit.

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The agency is also advancing international collaboration through the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission with Japan’s JAXA to study water ice near the Moon’s south pole. Looking further ahead, the first module of the Indian Space Station is targeted for 2028, with full assembly completion by 2035. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a national directive for an Indian astronaut to land on the Moon and return safely by 2040, providing long-term direction to ISRO’s human spaceflight and lunar exploration programs.

With enhanced production capacity, strategic partnerships, and a clear roadmap, ISRO is positioning India as a competitive player in the global space arena. The tripling of spacecraft output will enable more frequent missions, foster technological self-reliance, and open new opportunities in satellite services, deep-space science, and planetary exploration. As India prepares for its next giant leap, the world watches closely.

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