What happened?
Following the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced four key satellite missions scheduled for launch later this year. These include Oceansat-3A for ocean monitoring, NVS-03 to boost regional navigation services, TDS-01 for testing electric propulsion technology, and GSAT-7R for maritime and defence communication. ISRO will also launch the US communications satellite BlueBird Block 2. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh told Parliament that India has space cooperation agreements with 61 countries and five multilateral bodies, and is working with Japan’s JAXA on the upcoming LuPEX/Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission. A G20 satellite mission for climate observation has also been proposed.
Why it matters to India
The upcoming launches strengthen India’s capabilities in marine observation, secure communication, and navigation—sectors critical for national security, disaster response and environmental monitoring. They also support ISRO’s global partnerships and commercial ambitions, while boosting private sector engagement. According to IN-SPACe, Indian space startups have attracted $430 million in investment till March 2025, reflecting growing interest and confidence in India’s space ecosystem.