Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 26 : India will have its own Space Station by 2035, which will be known as “Bharatiya Antriksh Station”.
This was disclosed here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh while responding to a query from a media person after he announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
In a significant development, the MoU marks a unique collaboration aimed to integrate biotechnology with space technology, heralding a new era of scientific innovation in India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the transformative journey of biotechnology, which has traditionally been confined to laboratories, now reaching the vast expanse of space. He emphasised that this MoU represents a pivotal step towards practical applications of biotechnology, moving beyond theoretical research.
The Minister praised ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology Dr. Rajesh Gokhale for their efforts in making this collaboration possible. He noted the historical journey of both departments and the visionary leadership that has driven their success.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised on public-private participation, which has been instrumental in the rapid growth of India’s space sector. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening up the space sector to private players, leading to a surge in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Minister pointed out that the number of space startups has grown significantly, with nearly 300 startups now contributing to the space economy.
The MoU outlines several key initiatives, including the establishment of a Bharatiya Antriksh Station and the unveiling of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy. This policy aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing in the country, with a goal of reaching a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. The collaboration will focus on areas such as microgravity research, space biotechnology, space biomanufacturing, bioastronautics and space biology.
Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed optimism about the future, envisioning a new era of bio-astronautics and space biology. He highlighted the potential for groundbreaking research and innovation that this collaboration could unlock, benefiting not just India but the world at large.
The event saw the participation of ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Dr. Ramesh V. Sonti, Director of ICGEB, Dr. Alka Sharma, Chief Scientist in the Department of Biotechnology, and other senior officers, underscoring the high-level commitment and collaborative spirit driving this landmark partnership.
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