ISRO Designing Mega Rocket to Launch 75,000 kg Satellites; Space Station Target Set for 2035

Hyderabad, Aug 19: Indian space exploration is set for its biggest leap yet. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is designing a rocket as tall as a 40-storey building, capable of lifting 75,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit (LEO), ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced on Tuesday while addressing the convocation at Osmania University.

The announcement underscores India’s rapid rise in the global space sector, from launching 35-kg satellites decades ago to preparing for record-breaking heavy lift-offs.

From Humble Beginnings to Mega Rocket Plans

Recalling India’s modest start, Narayanan said:

“The first launcher built by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam decades ago was a 17-tonne lift-off mass, capable of placing just 35 kg in low Earth orbit. Today, we are conceiving a rocket to place 75,000 kg in low Earth orbit.”

The new mega rocket, once developed, will place India in direct competition with leading space powers, enabling large-scale missions and international collaborations.

Key Upcoming ISRO Missions

The ISRO chief laid out an impressive pipeline of missions and targets:

• NAVIC Satellite Launch – to enhance India’s indigenous navigation system.
• N1 Rocket Launch – an advanced launch vehicle under development.
• 6,500 kg US Communication Satellite – to be launched by an Indian rocket on a commercial basis within three months.
• Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS) – scheduled this year.
• GSAT-7R Military Satellite – designed specifically for the Indian Navy, replacing GSAT-7 ‘Rukmini’.

He noted that India currently has 55 satellites in orbit, a number expected to triple within 3–4 years.

India’s Space Station by 2035

Narayanan confirmed that, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is on track to establish its own space station by 2035, weighing 52 tonnes.

He also revealed ongoing work on the Venus Orbiter Mission, a project expected to expand India’s planetary exploration capabilities.

Astronaut Safety and ISRO’s Role in International Mission

The ISRO chief recounted the behind-the-scenes role of Indian engineers during astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year.

Originally scheduled for June 11, the mission was delayed after an ISRO-led team at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre detected a leak in the rocket.

“If the rocket had taken off with that crack, it would have been a catastrophic failure. Based on the insistence of Indians, the rocket was corrected. Today we accomplished a safe mission, not only for Shubhanshu Shukla, but for three more international astronauts as well,” Narayanan said.

India’s Global Space Credentials

Narayanan highlighted India’s progress:

• Successfully launched NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) last month.
• Built and launched payloads worth ₹10,300 crore in collaboration with NASA.
• Launched 133 Indian satellites including the 6,000-kg GSAT-11.
• Placed 433 foreign satellites from 43 countries into orbit.
• Holds the record of launching 104 satellites in a single rocket.
• Only country to have succeeded in a Mars orbiter mission on the first attempt.
• Built Aditya L1, India’s solar observatory, which has brought 20 terabit solar data.

He added that India has “the best lunar camera with 32-cm resolution” and is one among four countries capable of building solar observatories.

Recognition of Leadership

During the ceremony, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma conferred on Narayanan the honorary Doctor of Science degree, recognising his pivotal contributions to India’s space programme.

Why It Matters

ISRO’s roadmap signals India’s determination to become a global space superpower, not just through scientific achievements but also commercial launches and strategic military satellites.

• The 75,000-kg mega rocket will put India in a new league of heavy-lift space powers.
• The space station plan by 2035 demonstrates long-term ambition.
• Collaborations like NISAR and foreign satellite launches cement India’s role in international space commerce.

Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com

From launching a small American rocket in 1963 to designing a 40-storey giant rocket, India’s space journey has come full circle. With Shubhanshu Shukla’s safe return, GSAT-7R on the horizon, and a space station on the drawing board, ISRO is reshaping global perceptions of Indian space science.

The next decade will decide whether India can transform from being a reliable space partner into a leader of space exploration and technology.