New Delhi, 21 August (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 Indian space startups at Seva Teerth. The discussion focused on the expanding capabilities of private companies in India’s space sector, growing global demand for Indian space technologies and future opportunities in the sector.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was attended by heads of startups working across a wide range of areas, including rocket manufacturing; reusable spacecraft and launch vehicles; satellites; space-related electronic systems; advanced rocket-engine technologies; space and defence intelligence; space-debris removal; and technologies using artificial intelligence to provide hyperlocal weather and climate information.

The startup leaders welcomed the government’s decision to open the space sector to private companies, saying it had created several new opportunities for the industry. They also said companies in several countries were showing growing interest in adopting and using technologies developed by Indian private space enterprises.

The Prime Minister urged space-sector entrepreneurs to explore new applications for their technologies and focus on developing solutions that can make everyday life easier for ordinary citizens.

Modi also stressed the need to strengthen collaboration between the space industry and other sectors linked to the development of society. He said companies working on space-debris removal technologies could collaborate with environmental organisations. Similarly, companies developing space-based technologies for agriculture could work with agricultural universities and government departments to help farmers make better decisions and enhance productivity.

The Prime Minister said India should create an ecosystem where the world looks towards the country whenever it thinks about the space sector. He said India’s space industry could emerge as a hub capable of attracting talent, companies and investment from across the globe.

He also suggested expanding collaboration between space-sector companies and Atal Tinkering Labs. Modi said such partnerships could help foster curiosity and interest in space among children from an early age.

The interaction was attended by the heads and founders of 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 MistralAI.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar