India has firmly taken its place among the world’s leading space powers. With the recent success of the SpaDeX mission, the nation has become the fourth country to master the complex feat of space docking and undocking.
“India has achieved a milestone in space technology with this mission,” said V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary to the Department of Space. He was addressing the gathering at the 36th Convocation of Alagappa University, where Governor and Chancellor R.N. Ravi conferred degrees upon graduates.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Standing
Recalling the journey, Narayanan noted that when India’s space story began in the 1950s, the country was far behind others. The first rocket launch from Indian soil took place on 21 November 1963. From that modest start, India has since launched over 4,000 rockets and developed six generations of launch vehicles—SLV-3, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and SSLV—completing 102 launch vehicle missions to date.
What stands out is not just the scale, but the innovation. Satellite life has nearly doubled—from seven years to fifteen—through relentless research and experimentation. Today, 133 Indian satellites are active across applications, while ISRO has also launched about 400 foreign satellites from 32 countries, making space collaboration a strong arm of India’s global partnerships.
Building a Nation Through Science and Innovation
Narayanan linked India’s space achievements with the country’s broader development journey. Just as the Green, White, Grey, and Blue Revolutions transformed agriculture, milk production, fertilisers, and fisheries, space research has redefined India’s technological confidence. Together, these movements have propelled India into becoming the fourth largest economy in the world.
Education, healthcare, and connectivity too, he said, have seen exemplary growth. Literacy has risen dramatically—from 12% at Independence to nearly 80% today—thanks to the steady growth of schools, universities, and medical colleges.
