From Mars to Venus: ISRO Expands Space Ambitions
ISRO plans massive rocket, space station by 2035.
Speaking at Osmania University’s convocation in Hyderabad on August 19, 2025, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan unveiled ambitious plans for India’s space program, including a colossal rocket designed to carry a 75,000 kg payload into low Earth orbit.
This next-generation launcher, equivalent in height to a 40-storey building, marks a monumental leap from India’s first rocket, built under Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Narayanan also revealed that ISRO aims to construct a 52-tonne space station by 2035 and is actively working on the Venus Orbiter mission, further solidifying India’s position among global space leaders.
Narayanan highlighted India’s remarkable achievements, including the successful Mars Orbiter Mission on its first attempt—a feat unmatched by any other nation. ISRO’s Aditya L1 satellite, studying the sun, has delivered 20 terabits of data, placing India among only four countries with such capabilities.
Additionally, ISRO made history by launching 104 satellites in a single mission, a global first. With over 4,000 rockets launched and 133 satellites, including the high-throughput GSAT-11, India’s space prowess continues to grow.
The chairman recounted the near-catastrophic launch of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station, postponed from June 11 to June 25, 2025, after a team detected a rocket leak. The correction ensured a safe mission for Shukla and three international astronauts, with Shukla’s 20-day space experience set to inform India’s Gaganyaan program.
Narayanan also addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a pool of 40–50 astronauts, affirming that ISRO is committed to making it a reality. At the convocation, Narayanan received an honorary Doctorate of Science from Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma for his contributions to India’s space journey.
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