India sets 2040 goal to put an Indian on the Moon and bring them back safely: Chairman Narayanan

ISRO recently successfully placed its heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil into the intended orbit using a new-generation, homegrown “Bahubali” rocket

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman V Narayanan said on Friday that India is working towards sending an Indian to the Moon and ensuring their safe return by 2040.

“By 2040, we are targeting to put an Indian to the Moon and bring them back safely,” he said at the second edition of CNBC-TV18’s Global Leadership Summit (GLS) 2025.

Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that “India will soon have its own space station”, Narayanan said it is the need of the hour to have its own space station. “The government of India has given approval for the first model,” he said.

Earlier in August, Narayanan had said that the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s first space station, is slated for launch in 2028. Weighing 10 tonnes, it will be the station’s inaugural component, with the full BAS projected to reach 52 tonnes.

Global space economy

Speaking at the GLS, Narayanan outlined India’s ambitions in the global space sector. As per a McKinsey report, the global space economy is expected to rise from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, while India presently holds a 2-3% share.

“Our share is only 2% of global space economy, and this number has to be increased. We are putting an ambitious target of 8%. We are working towards that,” he said

ISRO recently successfully placed its heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil into the intended orbit using a new-generation, homegrown “Bahubali” rocket.

The 4,410-kg CMS-03 satellite, carried aboard the LVM3-M5, is a multi-band communication satellite that will serve a wide oceanic region along with the Indian landmass.

The satellite was placed in the desired Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

It is also a replacement to the GSAT 7 series, launched in 2013.

Narayanan earlier said that ISRO has set a target to launch seven missions, including its ambitious first uncrewed mission under the Gangayaan programme, before the end of March 2026.