The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has long been a beacon of innovation, frugality, and ambition in the global space community. From launching its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975 to achieving the historic soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole in 2023, ISRO has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. As of April, 2025, ISRO is gearing up for its next big leap—a series of groundbreaking missions and technological advancements that promise to solidify India’s position as a leading spacefaring nation. Here’s a look at the latest developments and what lies ahead for ISRO.
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A Busy 2025: Half-a-Dozen Major Launches
The year 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark one for ISRO, with a packed schedule of high-profile missions. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, recently announced that ISRO has lined up six significant launches in the first half of the year alone. These missions span navigation, human spaceflight preparation, international collaboration, and commercial ventures, showcasing ISRO’s multifaceted approach to space exploration.
- NVS-02 Navigation Satellite (January 2025): Kicking off the year, ISRO will launch the NVS-02, an advanced navigation satellite, using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). This mission, slated for January, will mark ISRO’s 100th launch—a monumental milestone for the agency born in 1969, the same year the U.S. landed humans on the Moon. The NVS-02 will enhance India’s NavIC system, providing precise positioning and timing services.
- Vyommitra and the Unmanned Gaganyaan Mission: Following closely, ISRO will send Vyommitra, a female humanoid robot, into space as part of an unmanned Gaganyaan mission. This test flight, expected in early 2025, will mirror the conditions of the eventual manned mission, minus human astronauts. Vyommitra’s journey is a critical step toward India’s first human spaceflight, targeted for 2026, under the ambitious Gaganyaan program.
- NISAR: The World’s Most Expensive Earth-Imaging Satellite (March 2025): In collaboration with NASA, ISRO will launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, valued at approximately ₹12,505 crore (over $1.5 billion). Scheduled for March, NISAR will use dual-frequency radar to map Earth’s surface with unprecedented detail, tracking changes as small as a centimeter. This mission underscores ISRO’s growing role in international space partnerships.
- LVM3-M5 Commercial Launch (Q1 2025): ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), will launch the LVM3-M5 mission for an international client, likely the U.S., in the first quarter. This satellite, designed for direct mobile communication, highlights India’s evolving capabilities and its emergence as a go-to provider for global satellite launches.
Technological Breakthroughs: Semicryogenic and Electric Propulsion
Beyond launches, ISRO is making strides in cutting-edge technology. On March 28, 2025, ISRO achieved a major breakthrough with the first successful hot test of the intermediate configuration of its 2000 kN semicryogenic engine. This engine, part of the Semicryogenic Development Program, promises to boost payload capacities for future missions, including the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). The NGLV, approved in 2024 with a budget of ₹8,240 crore, aims to triple the payload capacity of the current LVM3, carrying up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Additionally, on March 27, 2025, ISRO completed a 1000-hour life test of its 300mN Stationary Plasma Thruster, a key component of the Electric Propulsion System (EPS). This system, designed to replace chemical propulsion in future satellites, offers greater efficiency and longevity, paving the way for sustainable space operations.
Ambitious Horizons: Space Station, Lunar Samples, and Venus
ISRO’s vision extends far beyond 2025. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s first space station, is on track with its first module launch planned for 2028 and full deployment by 2035. Smaller than the International Space Station, BAS will consist of five modules and serve as a hub for scientific research, reflecting India’s long-term commitment to space exploration.
The Chandrayaan-4 mission, approved in September 2024, aims to collect lunar samples and return them to Earth by 2028. This ambitious endeavor, building on Chandrayaan-3’s success, will demonstrate technologies for lunar landing and safe return, with a goal of putting an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.
Meanwhile, the Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan), set for launch in March 2028, will explore Venus’s thick atmosphere and geological activity using advanced instruments like synthetic aperture radar and ultraviolet imaging systems. This mission, with a budget of ₹1,236 crore, marks India’s first foray into studying the enigmatic planet.
Commercial Success and Global Impact
ISRO’s commercial ventures are also soaring. Over the past decade, the agency has generated over $400 million in revenue from launching satellites for the U.S. and the European Union, with $157 million and €260 million respectively. The LVM3-M5 mission and others in 2025 are expected to further boost this figure, positioning India as a cost-effective and reliable player in the global space economy.
The Road Ahead
ISRO’s next big leap is not just about individual missions but a holistic push toward self-reliance, innovation, and international collaboration. From developing in-house methane engines and retro-propulsion landing tests to establishing a space station and exploring Venus, ISRO is rewriting the narrative of space exploration. As Chairman S. Somanath noted, “2025 will be a very exciting year,” with four GSLV launches, three PSLV missions, and an SSLV launch planned.
With its blend of ambition and pragmatism, ISRO is poised to take India—and the world—deeper into the cosmos. As the agency continues to defy expectations, the global space community watches eagerly, anticipating the next chapter in India’s stellar journey.
-By Manoj H
