Key Takeaways
- PM Modi praised Indian youth for drone innovation in Mars-like conditions
- Highlighted connections between current achievements and Chandrayaan setbacks
- Announced major developments in India’s space and defense sectors
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has celebrated India’s growing space capabilities as a demonstration of the nation’s “new thinking, innovation and youth power.” During his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address, the PM specifically highlighted young innovators from Pune who successfully flew drones in Martian conditions.
Youth Innovation in Space Technology
PM Modi described being impressed by an ISRO-organized drone competition where Gen Z participants attempted to operate drones in Mars-like environments. “A team of young people from Pune achieved some success,” he noted. “Their drone even fell and crashed several times, but they did not give up. After several attempts, this team’s drone managed to fly for some time in the conditions of Mars.”
Connecting to Chandrayaan Legacy
The Prime Minister drew parallels between the students’ persistence and ISRO’s experience with Chandrayaan missions. “This video reminded me of the day Chandrayaan went out of network coverage,” Modi recalled, referring to the 2019 Chandrayaan-2 setback when ISRO lost communication with the Vikram lander.
He emphasized how scientists transformed that disappointment into Chandrayaan-3’s success story, stating: “The determination of our youth is the greatest strength of Viksit Bharat.”
Boosting India’s Space Ecosystem
Modi also highlighted recent infrastructure developments strengthening India’s space capabilities. He termed Skyroot’s Infinity Campus inauguration as a “new boost” to the space ecosystem. The Hyderabad facility, inaugurated on November 27, also saw the unveiling of Skyroot’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, capable of launching satellites to orbit.
Defense and Aviation Milestones
Beyond space achievements, the Prime Minister noted significant developments in defense and aviation. He inaugurated the world’s largest Leap Engine MRO facility in Hyderabad and announced the induction of INS Mahe into the Indian Navy.
The Safran Aircraft Engine Services facility represents a major milestone as the first global engine OEM to establish an MRO operation in India. The 45,000 sqm facility, developed with an initial investment of around ₹1,300 crore, will maintain LEAP engines powering Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
