In his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, PM Narendra Modi announced that India will build its own space station. This announcement followed a reference to Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister also shared that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla had returned from the International Space Station (ISS), representing a significant advancement in India’s space program. PM Modi emphasized India’s growing self-sufficiency in space exploration.
India is actively progressing on its space station and the Gaganyaan mission. The Prime Minister mentioned that more than 300 startups are currently contributing to the space sector. The address underscores India’s dedication to achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’ in space.
**What are Space Stations?**
Space stations are orbital structures that serve as long-term homes and research facilities for astronauts, enabling them to conduct experiments and live in space.
**Countries that have Space Stations**
India will soon be added to the list of nations with their own space stations. Currently, this list includes:
* **China:** Operating the Tiangong space station.
* **Russia:** Working on the Russian Orbital Service Station.
* **International Space Station:** A collaborative project involving Russia (Roscosmos), the United States (NASA), Japan (JAXA), Europe (ESA), and Canada (CSA).