Uttarakhand Embraces Space Innovation and Science Education to Shape India’s Future

At the Space Conference 2025 held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that space technology today goes far beyond research labs—it actively supports communication, agriculture, weather forecasting, disaster management, education, health, and infrastructure development.

The conference, centered on how Himalayan states can contribute to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, saw the convergence of top scientists, ISRO officials, and state policymakers to forge stronger ties between scientific innovation and regional development.

Celebrating India’s Growing Space Legacy

In a moment of national pride, CM Dhami congratulated Indian scientist Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently hoisted the national flag at the International Space Station. He described it as a significant milestone that lays the foundation for future Indian missions, including the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight.

The Chief Minister also unveiled:

• A dashboard developed jointly by ISRO and UCOST (Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology) aims to transform Champawat into a model district.
• A new ISRO publication, reinforcing the state’s alignment with India’s scientific trajectory.

Science Education and Innovation in Uttarakhand

Dhami reiterated the state government's dedication to building a science- and innovation-driven ecosystem. He outlined several ongoing initiatives:

• The creation of a Science City in Uttarakhand.
• Establishment of Innovation Centers in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Drone Technology.
• Setting up of cutting-edge laboratories to nurture talent and research in emerging technologies.

According to him, these developments are crucial in making Uttarakhand a "space-technology friendly state", aligned with the broader goal of sustainable development.

ISRO Chairman: India’s Space Journey from Bullock Carts to Moon Missions

Delivering the keynote, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan traced India’s spectacular journey in space science:

• First rocket launch in 1963, when components were transported by bicycles.
• Now, India boasts 131 operational satellites and over 100 rocket launches since inception.
• Significant milestones include:
   
  • First detection of water molecules on the Moon.
  • First successful landing on the Moon's South Pole.
  • Aditya-L1 mission, placing India among the few nations to study the Sun.
  • The first successful Mars mission on the first attempt made India the fourth nation to reach Mars’ orbit.

Narayanan revealed ISRO’s current and upcoming projects:

• Human space programme, including the Gaganyaan mission.
• A new heavy-lift rocket capable of carrying up to 75,000 kg into low Earth orbit, expected to be ready in 27 days.
• Plans to establish India’s own space station by 2030.
• A goal to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for accelerating India’s ambitions, confidently stating that the nation is on track to become a Developed India by 2047.

Harnessing Satellite Data in Uttarakhand

Prakash Chauhan, Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), underlined how satellite data is being actively integrated into Uttarakhand's state governance and emergency response systems.

Key applications of satellite technology include:

• Digital livestock mapping in the state.
• Providing real-time data during natural disasters such as the Rishiganga-Chamoli flood, helping with national-level Post-Disaster Need Assessments (PDNA).
• Tools for disaster prediction include glacial lake monitoring, cloudburst forecasting, and flood mapping.
• Monitoring and conservation of forests, including forest fire tracking.

Chauhan stressed that Earth observation, satellite communication, and navigation systems have fundamentally transformed public administration, disaster management, and environmental protection across Himalayan states like Uttarakhand.

A Future-Facing State in a Future-Focused Nation

The Space Conference 2025 proposed how regional states like Uttarakhand can align with and contribute to India’s national space ambitions. With ISRO’s technological muscle and state-level innovation backing, Uttarakhand is positioning itself as a scientific hub in the Himalayas. Education, innovation, and space technology converge in this place for sustainable and inclusive development.

By investing in science cities, AI labs, and space-related infrastructure, Uttarakhand is preparing its youth and institutions to not just witness India's future in space but also help lead it.