🚀 Please read the edited version of the interview to Hindu Business Line. India needs more space startups in the downstream segment and must support them with incentives—especially in the unexplored application areas. Govt, both Centre & States should act as anchor customers and mandate use of space-based services in governance, agri, fisheries, weather, logistics & more. Encourage using subsystems developed in India in the private sector as well. 🇮🇳 #SpaceTech #SomanathSpeak

Visited Bellatrix Aerospace #BellatrixAero at their test facility in IISc, #iiscbangalore today. They showcased a successful vacuum firing of their ARKA-100, a 100 W electric thruster and a 1N green propellant thruster RUDRA based on HAN. Both systems are fully developed in-house — including heater-less cathode, magnetic-lensed anode, high-efficiency PPCU, control electronics and all pneumatic control components. Supported by #ISRO and #INSPACeIND, Bellatrix is building critical propulsion tech that could empower Indian smallsat makers to rely on indigenous systems instead of sourcing from abroad. A significant step for our space ecosystem. #SomanathSpeak

Very proud to deliver the inaugural keynote on the journey of ‘Space’ and its impact in India at the Oxford India Forum at University of Oxford, UK. The talk highlighted the ‘Atmanirbhartha’ achieved in space and the excitement around the recent success, space sector reforms and ambitions of the new space companies. #SomanathSpeak

A #SpaceNewsChallenge for Media Over the past few days, as I journeyed across regions, I had the rare pleasure of reading newspapers in multiple languages, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks to the #Ax4 mission and the presence of #ShubhanshuShukla on board, Indian media (particularly print) rose to the occasion with admirable enthusiasm. The depth and range of coverage were truly commendable. From detailed mission reports and striking visuals to human interest narratives, headlines that capture the attention, and layouts that was imaginative, it was nothing short of a space carnival in print. A moment where science and technology did not merely inform, but inspired. It took me back to my younger days, when newspapers were windows to the world, quietly filling our minds with wonder, facts and possibility. Today, as I interact with students across institutions, I often hear a common concern: the reading habit among the new generation is in decline and there appears no clear remedy. So here is my humble appeal to editors and media houses: Let there be a dedicated science and technology section in every newspaper, every single day. India is on the cusp of an extraordinary space era. From ambitious ISRO missions to private sector breakthroughs, this decade promises to redefine our relationship with space science. To nurture tomorrow’s Sarabhais, Kalams, Rakesh Sharmas, and space entrepreneurs: we must keep curiosity alive, and newspapers can serve as that vital ignition. Let us call this the #SpaceNewsChallenge, a mission to bring young minds back to print through the magnetism of science stories. And yes, I shall be on the lookout. The most striking and thoughtful efforts, I promise to share across my social platforms. Let us make science front page worthy every day. And remember, NEWS can also mean: Nurturing Exploration With Science -- a simple idea with the potential to shape thinking, awaken curiosity, and ignite futures. Let someone somewhere back this dream. #SomanathSpeak

As the #Ax4 capsule closes in on the @Space_Station, it is heartening to see how India's scientific ecosystem is quietly and confidently scripting its own chapter in space research. With #ShubhanshuShukla onboard, India is not just a passenger on this ride. We are a partner, a participant, and a future ready crew. His presence will significantly bolster our #Gaganyaan mission, adding experiential depth to planning, life science payloads and long duration spaceflight goals. From tardigrade survival to seed sprouting in micro-gravity, human tech interaction to cyanobacteria nitrogen utilisation, the scope of Indian payloads on #Ax4 is remarkable. These are not one off science projects. They are building blocks for future Indian space stations and deep space settlements. This shift from being technology receivers to co creators is profound. It mirrors what former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam once championed -- spinoffs for society, science for self reliance. The #Ax4 mission will not only inspire a new generation of space-geeks and future space scientists, but also reignite the spirit within @isro to dream deeper, aim farther. I can visualise how schoolchildren across the length and breadth of India, especially in remote villages, will watch today's development with eyes wide open. It is this India I once belonged to. An India of dreams and aspirations. We are not space tourists. We are space thinkers. Over to docking... #SomanathSpeak