ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan has confirmed that India is on track to achieve 50 launches annually by 2029, a dramatic leap from the early days when one launch took three years.

This expansion will be driven by new launchpads, private industry participation, and advanced programs such as Gaganyaan and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

ISRO’s transformation reflects India’s ambition to become a global space leader. Narayanan highlighted that 43 years ago, ISRO required three years for a single launch.

Today, the organisation is preparing to scale up to 50 launches every year, a target expected to be realised by 2029. This acceleration is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to build a decentralised yet robust ecosystem, where private industry and academia play a central role.

The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is progressing through design finalisation and prototype hardware realisation. Extensive semi-cryogenic engine testing is planned over the next three years. The NGLV is expected to be a cornerstone of India’s future heavy-lift capabilities, with a development cycle spanning seven to eight years.

India’s first fully industry-built PSLV, jointly produced by HAL and L&T, is almost ready for its maiden flight. This mission will carry a technology demonstration satellite equipped with 34 experimental payloads.

The PSLV project marks a significant milestone in transferring mature, repeatable activities to private industry, while ISRO retains focus on advanced research and strategic missions.

Narayanan emphasised that ISRO is not being privatised. Instead, private companies are expected to take on a larger share of manufacturing and operational responsibilities. This division of labour will allow ISRO to concentrate on cutting-edge technologies and missions that India has yet to master, including human spaceflight and deep-space exploration.

The Gaganyaan program is a major priority. The first uncrewed test flight (G1) is scheduled for later this year. This will be followed by the second test vehicle mission (TV-D2), which will validate abort capabilities under different flight conditions, and then a subsequent uncrewed flight (G2).

Minor improvements have been made to the test vehicle, but Narayanan stressed that the immediate focus remains on completing G1 successfully.

Infrastructure expansion is critical to achieving the 50-launch target. Currently, ISRO operates from two launchpads at Sriharikota, which limits capacity. A new spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu is under development and expected to be operational by 2027, enabling around 20–25 launches annually.

Additionally, a third launchpad at Sriharikota is planned by 2029, which will raise overall capacity to 50 launches per year. Smaller launchpads operated by private companies are also being encouraged to handle small rocket missions, further boosting launch frequency.

India’s space economy is poised for rapid growth. The government envisions a larger ecosystem of private companies building rockets, satellites, and space systems.

This expansion will not only meet domestic needs but also position India as a competitive player in the global commercial launch market.

Narayanan’s announcement underscores ISRO’s rapid transition towards a high-frequency, multi-partner operational model. By blending national capability, industrial collaboration, and scientific advancement, India is preparing to secure its place among the world’s leading spacefaring nations.

ANI