IIST Vice Chancellor calls for new agenda as India advances towards Space 3.0

What happened at Space 2.0

India's expanding space ecosystem requires a renewed strategic agenda and deeper cross-sector collaboration to sustain its rapid momentum, according to leading experts speaking at a national aerospace gathering in Thiruvananthapuram.

Inaugurating the 39th National Convention of Aerospace Engineering and its technical seminar 'Space 2.0 - The Agenda', Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) Vice-Chancellor Dipankar Banerjee emphasized that rising national and international demands require a broader operational approach. While the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has delivered pioneering achievements, Dr Banerjee noted that demand has grown to proportions that one or two institutions alone cannot meet. He called for an integrated framework uniting ISRO, private industry, academic researchers, and commercial start-ups.

Transitioning to Space 3.0

Highlighting the structural growth of the nation's space capabilities, N. Jayan, Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), stated that India's space enterprise is stepping onto the threshold of 'Space 3.0'.

Following the initial foundational phase and the operational era that accomplished the vision of Vikram Sarabhai, this new phase redefines national objectives. India is simultaneously expanding high-impact societal applications and pursuing major exploratory missions. Key upcoming projects include Chandrayaan-4, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and dedicated exploratory missions to Venus and Mars. The core of this transition, Dr Jayan explained, is that space technology is successfully transforming into a robust, full-scale space industry.

Industry recognition and awards

The convention, organised by the Aerospace Engineering Division Board of the Institution of Engineers (India), also conferred honours on key contributors across commercial space ventures and academic research.

The recognition of private space sector executives alongside university faculty reflects the expanding synergy between state institutions, private innovation, and academic talent driving India's space sector forward.