GalaxEye Drishti: India's First Opto-SAR Satellite Launched by SpaceX Falcon 9 on May 3, 2026

India's First Private Orbital Rocket Vikram-1 Launched July 18; Gaganyaan Parachute Test Qualified

India's first privately developed orbital rocket Vikram-1, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was successfully launched on July 18, 2026, from Sriharikota under 'Mission Aagaman', making India only the third country globally to achieve private orbital launch capability. The article also covers new IN-SPACe re-entry guidelines, Gaganyaan mission progress (SOLVE motor test, IMAT-05 parachute test, crew module qualification), and a Tracxn report revealing SpaceTech funding concentration. Critical for UPSC: space sector reforms, private participation, and ISRO's human spaceflight milestones.

PM Modi Meets 20 Space Startups on National Space Day, Pledges Unwavering Support for Sector

PM Modi interacted with 20 space startups ahead of National Space Day, emphasizing India's emergence as a global space hub. He assured policy continuity and unwavering support as the sector sees a boom post-2020 liberalization, with Skyroot Aerospace becoming the first private Indian company to conduct an orbital launch.

ISRO Employee Unions Seek Clarity on Privatisation Post EOS-05 Launch Success

ISRO's successful EOS-05 launch was overshadowed by employee unions demanding clarity on job security and outsourcing, highlighting a tension between the agency's development-focused roots and its new 'space race' ambitions under the 2023 Space Policy.

ISRO Transfers SSLV, PSLV, LVM3 to Private Sector Under Indian Space Policy 2023

ISRO is transitioning from manufacturing operational launch vehicles to a pure R&D role, transferring SSLV, PSLV, and LVM3 production to private industry. This shift, mandated by the Indian Space Policy 2023, aims to expand India's share in the global space economy from less than 2% ($9 billion in 2026) to $40-45 billion over the next decade. The move opens up significant commercial opportunities for private players while preserving ISRO's expertise for strategic and scientific missions.

ISRO to Focus on Big Missions, Private Sector to Handle Launches: SSLV Tech Transferred to HAL

ISRO is being repositioned like NASA – focusing on exploration and R&D while private industry takes over routine launches. IN-SPACe chairman's remark that ISRO will eventually stop making launch vehicles sparked debate, but ISRO chairman clarified no privatisation. The transfer of SSLV technology to HAL signals the new direction, but concerns over revenue loss and institutional independence remain.

PM Modi to 20+ Space Start-ups: India's Private Space Ecosystem Can Attract Global Talent Pool

PM Modi met over 20 space start-up founders ahead of National Space Day, lauding their courage and stating that India's private space ecosystem can become a global magnet for scientific talent. The government promised stable policy support, boosting the morale of India's rapidly expanding space start-up sector, which now has over 400 companies.

Astrobase Unveils 800kN FFSC Rocket Engine EVEREST – India's First Private FFSC Engine

India has become the fourth nation to develop Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine technology. Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled the 800kN EVEREST engine, making India self-reliant in advanced rocket propulsion crucial for reusable launch vehicles. This development positions India's private space industry as a global competitor and is highly relevant for Science & Tech sections of all exams.

IN-SPACe Releases Planned Re-entry Guidelines: Safety Threshold 1 in 10,000, Mandates Third-Party Liability Insurance

IN-SPACe has released new guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects, establishing a safety threshold of 1 in 10,000 risk to humans and mandating third-party liability insurance for private operators. This is crucial for India's human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan and the growing private space sector.