Indian Space Programme: India has achieved many achievements in space. Our organizations like ISRO have shown amazing performance in very low budget. The whole world has saluted the success of India’s Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan. Now our scientists are engaged in Aditya project to reach the Sun. How many feats India achieves in the world of space this year depends on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Finance Minister is going to present the budget on 23 July. India’s eyes are fixed on her to see what she gives from her treasury for the space program.
More money was also received in the interim budget
India’s space sector is developing rapidly. ISRO has surprised the whole world by completing missions in an economical manner. Now the private sector has also started investing in it. It is believed that the Finance Minister is going to make big announcements for the space sector in the general budget. In the interim budget, the space sector got Rs 13,042.75 crore for the financial year 2024-25. This is 4 percent more than Rs 12,545 crore in the previous financial year.
The budget of other countries is many times more than that of ISRO
According to The Planetary Society, the US gave NASA about Rs 2,12,000 crore (25.4 billion dollars) in the financial year 2023. According to media reports, China’s space program received about Rs 1,18,000 crore (11 billion dollars). On the other hand, the European Space Agency (ESA) received a budget of about Rs 63,700 crore (7.6 billion dollars) last year. This is many times more than ISRO’s budget. 
Programs may lag behind due to low budget
Many people have been expressing concern that ISRO’s low budget can delay many infrastructure programs including Gaganyaan and Mangalyaan 2. This also affects India’s plans to dominate the global space program. India’s preparation in areas like agriculture and climate is also lagging behind. ISRO has also made important plans with NASA regarding the changes taking place on Earth. This year an Indian astronaut is also to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS).
Space tourism is on the rise
Recently, information came out that entrepreneur and pilot Gopi Thotakura is going to become the first Indian to go to space as a tourist on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission. If the mission is successful, Thotakura will be the second Indian to go to space. Earlier, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma has gone to space. According to media reports, the space tourism market was worth $848.28 million in 2023. It is expected to grow to $27,861.99 million by 2032.
Money is needed to capture the space market
ISRO has sent many satellites into space through its cheap and reliable launch vehicles like PSLV and GSLV. We also achieved the feat of sending 104 satellites into space in a single flight in September 2023. India also has to build a space station by the year 2035. A lot of money can also be made by sending satellites of other countries of the world into space. Apart from this, we can also strengthen our defense by advancing the space program. India has set a target of capturing 10 percent of the international space market by the year 2030. To meet these expectations, there is a dire need to increase the budget.
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