Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 25 (ANI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan on Monday said that all satellites deployed by the space agency played a vital role in Operation Sindoor, conducted by the Armed Forces in May.
Speaking at the felicitation ceremony of IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow, Narayanan noted that India currently has 58 operational satellites in orbit.
“During Operation Sindoor, I want to say quietly, all our satellites worked fantastically well. Through them, we ensured the safety and security of every citizen of Bharat. Prime Minister Modi has given us the direction that within the next three years, the number of satellites in orbit will be at least three times the present number of 58,” the ISRO chief said.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, showcased a calibrated tri-services response marked by precision, professionalism, and purpose. The operation was designed as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan.
According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on May 14, ISRO’s contribution was critical. “At an event on May 11, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that at least 10 satellites were working round the clock for strategic purposes to ensure the safety and security of the nation’s citizens,” the release highlighted.
“To secure the country, satellites must serve continuously. India has to monitor its 7,000 km of seashore and its northern borders without interruption. Without satellite and drone technology, the nation cannot achieve this,” Narayanan emphasized.
He also revealed ISRO’s ambitious roadmap: India will have its own space station by 2035, and an Indian astronaut will land on the Moon by 2040. “We are building a rocket to take man to the Moon. By 2040, as directed by the Prime Minister, India will send a manned mission to the Moon, land an Indian there, and bring him back safely,” he said.
The ISRO chairman also praised Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s achievements, calling him a “national pride.”
“I am extremely happy that my colleague has returned safely. He will contribute significantly to the Gaganyaan program. We must thank the Prime Minister, whose vision made this program possible, and also the 500 ISRO personnel who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. These experiences are vital for building confidence and training exposure. Shukla is truly a national pride,” Narayanan told ANI.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently completed the historic mission to the International Space Station as part of the crew of the Axiom-4 Mission. Shukla also attended a felicitation ceremony at his alma mater, City Montessori School in Gomtinagar. (ANI)
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