Coimbatore: Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman V. Narayanan stated that India plans to establish its own space station by 2035 and is actively collaborating with more than 60 friendly nations to enhance global cooperation in space research.
Narayanan was responding to recent remarks by astronaut Sunita Williams, who highlighted the importance of collaboration between India and the United States in space programmes. He said international cooperation has become central to India’s expanding space ambitions.
Narayanan noted that several major projects are currently underway, including plans to send Indian astronauts to the Moon and to set up a dedicated space station. He said India is engaging constructively with partner countries, adding that such collaboration benefits scientific progress and mission success.
The ISRO chief was in Coimbatore to attend an education awards ceremony at a private college in Pichanur, where he presented honours to teachers. During the event, he said India plans to launch many more satellites in the coming years and assured that ongoing rocket launches at various stages will not affect the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
Addressing students, Narayanan said work on India’s space station will begin in 2028, to complete it by 2035. He urged young people to contribute to the country’s long-term vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Sharing his own journey from a rural background to leading the country’s space agency, Narayanan encouraged students to pursue their goals with dedication. He said career opportunities are no longer limited to engineering and medicine, and welcomed the growing interest among students in diverse fields such as biology and basic sciences.
He added that students from arts and science colleges should feel confident about their future, stressing that commitment and hard work, regardless of discipline, can lead to meaningful contributions to the nation’s progress.
