PM Modi: 'PM Modi not only makes policies, he also implements them', ISRO chief praises the Prime Minister

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somnath has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in strengthening India's space sector. On the occasion of National Space Day on August 23, Somnath praised the policy reforms made by PM Modi towards advancing the space sector. He said, 'As Prime Minister, PM Modi has not only made new policies in the space sector but has also implemented them.

'Private participation will increase in the space sector'

The ISRO chief said, 'After the reforms in the space sector, we are working on a space policy. This new policy clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Space, ISRO, and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which will increase the participation of the private sector in space activities.' He said that a foreign direct investment policy has also been announced, allowing private investment or foreign investment in the space sector with certain controls and regulations, which was not possible earlier.

After the successful Chandrayaan-3 landing, August 23 was declared as National Space Day

The ISRO chief informed that the Department of Science and Technology has also introduced the Geospatial Policy. This means that all geospatial data, and satellite data too will now be made available to everyone free of cost up to five-metre resolution. Recalling the Prime Minister's live participation in the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing event, the ISRO chief said, "I remember our Prime Minister Modi was watching the live telecast and taking some time out from the BRICS summit to be with us." After the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, Prime Minister Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day and named the landing site 'Shiv Shakti Point', while the Chandrayaan-2 landing site was named 'Tiranga Point'.

Somnath also recalled Modi's visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, where he showed keen interest in the Gaganyaan mission and other space projects. "We were asked to prepare a long-term roadmap, a vision for Space 2047 in Amritkal," Somnath said. The Prime Minister was very happy with our presentation on future space missions, including the Gaganyaan program and plans for the space station."

'PM Modi got emotional with the success of Chandrayaan-3'

M Shankaran, Director, of UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), also recalled the Prime Minister's visit to the space center after the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, saying, "When he was talking, he was a little emotional. He thanked all of us for being there and appreciated everyone's efforts. He was very clear that we have to involve other government agencies in space activities, which is the result of reforms in the space sector."

India is celebrating its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024. In 2023, on this day, Chandrayaan 3 completed the safe and soft landing of Vikram Lander on the surface of the Moon. India became the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first country to land near the south-polar region of the Moon.

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