- ISRO successfully launched its 100th rocket, the GSLV-F15, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
- The NVS-02 satellite was placed in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), marking a major milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
- Several ambitious missions, including NISAR, Gaganyaan, and new commercial launches, are set to take place in 2025.
What exciting missions does ISRO have planned for the future?
The successful launch of GSLV-F15 marks just the beginning of a busy year for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The space agency has lined up several significant missions, aiming to strengthen India’s position in space research, navigation, and exploration.
One of the biggest upcoming missions is the NISAR Mission, a joint project between NASA and ISRO. Scheduled for launch in March 2025, this mission will carry the world’s most advanced Earth-imaging radar satellite. With a budget of around ₹12,500 crore, NISAR will play a key role in monitoring natural disasters and studying climate change.
ISRO is also expanding its commercial space ventures. The LVM-3 M5 mission will carry the BlueBird 6 satellite for AST SpaceMobile, demonstrating ISRO’s growing reputation in the global space market. This will be conducted under the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) program, which focuses on commercial satellite deployments.
Additionally, the TDS-01 mission will test 34 new space technologies with the help of the PSLV rocket, India’s trusted workhorse for satellite launches. A significant shift is happening with the private sector entering the space race—companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and L&T are working on the PSLV-XL N1, India’s first privately developed rocket.
Another highlight for 2025 is the much-anticipated Gaganyaan Mission. This mission is a crucial step toward India’s first human spaceflight. The Gaganyaan G1 uncrewed mission will send Vyommitra, a humanoid robot, into orbit to test spaceflight systems before astronauts board future missions. Engineers are working on the Human-Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3), a massive 640-tonne rocket built to carry astronauts safely into space.
Infrastructure improvements are also on the way. ISRO is preparing to launch Chandrayaan-4, a new lunar mission, alongside a Venus Orbiter Mission. The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is under development to make future launches more efficient and cost-effective. Meanwhile, the expansion of launch facilities at Sriharikota includes adding a third launch pad and a second launch complex.
Conclusion
With these groundbreaking projects, 2025 will be a remarkable year for ISRO and India’s space ambitions. The agency is moving beyond national missions to global collaborations and commercial ventures. As ISRO prepares for new challenges, the future of India’s space program looks brighter than ever.
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