NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a groundbreaking year in 2025, with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiling a series of ambitious missions. These include launching a female humanoid, Vyommitra, into space as a precursor to India’s first manned mission, Gaganyaan, and deploying the Indo-US co-produced earth imaging satellite, NISAR, one of the world’s most expensive satellites.

A Busy Start to 2025

The year will begin with the launch of an advanced navigation satellite, NVS-02, in January. This mission, carried out by a GSLV rocket, will mark ISRO’s 100th mission. Shortly after, Vyommitra, a female humanoid developed by ISRO, will be sent into space as part of an unmanned Gaganyaan mission. Dr. Singh emphasized, “The Vyommitra mission will mirror the final manned Gaganyaan mission in every aspect except the absence of astronauts. Once this is successful, India will proceed with sending astronauts into space.”

In March, the much-anticipated NISAR satellite, developed in collaboration with NASA, will be launched. Estimated to cost ₹12,505 crore, this satellite will scan nearly all land and ice surfaces every 12 days, providing high-resolution data for earth observation.

India's Growing Global Presence

Highlighting ISRO’s evolving stature, Dr. Singh pointed out the agency’s role in launching US and European satellites. A commercial mission is scheduled for early 2025, with the LVM3-M5 rocket carrying an American satellite designed for direct mobile communication.

Dr. Singh remarked, “ISRO’s progress is evident. From launching US satellites to generating $172 million in revenue from the US and €292 million from the EU over the past decade, India is cementing its place as a leader in the global space economy.”

Achievements and Vision

In 2024, ISRO achieved significant milestones, completing 15 missions, including technology demonstrations and commercial projects. These included the Aditya L1 solar mission, the final development flight of the SSLV rocket, and the SpaDeX mission, which lifted off on December 30.

Looking ahead, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath shared the organization’s vision for 2025, with plans for four GSLV launches, three PSLV missions, and an SSLV launch. 
Dr. Singh acknowledged ISRO’s journey since its inception in 1969, noting how India has transitioned from aspiring to reach space to becoming a global leader. He concluded, “With initiatives like Gaganyaan and the NISAR satellite, India is not just reaching for the stars but also helping the world better understand our planet.”