Jammu

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday lauded ISRO for the successful launch of its LVM3-M6 mission, saying the achievement would play a crucial role in advancing India’s upcoming space programmes, including the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Chandrayaan-4.

India’s heaviest launch vehicle, the LVM3-M6, recently deployed a US communication satellite into low Earth orbit, a milestone that ISRO officials described as a major accomplishment for the country.

Calling the mission a moment of national pride, Singh said the successful launch underscored India’s growing technological capabilities, particularly over the past decade. He noted that while foreign satellites had earlier been launched from Sriharikota, this mission clearly demonstrated India’s ability to place satellites weighing around 6,000 kilograms into orbit.

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office was speaking to reporters during his visit to Jammu, where he attended the ‘Swadeshi Mela’ organised by the BJP’s local unit to promote the “vocal for local” initiative. The event was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma.

Singh said the mission’s success would directly support India’s long-term space goals, especially heavy-payload requirements for projects such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, targeted for launch by 2035, and future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4.

He also highlighted the role of public-private collaboration in the mission, pointing out that the satellite belonged to a US-based company working on advanced communication technologies.

According to Singh, the launch showcased India’s readiness for next-generation satellite-based communication, including the possibility of providing 5G services directly to mobile phones without conventional ground infrastructure.

“Even though satellite telecom services are not yet operational in India, the country is building the capacity required for such technologies well in advance,” he said, adding that this reflects India’s forward-looking approach.

The minister said India has steadily established itself as a global leader in space technology, citing achievements such as Chandrayaan-3, which made history by landing near the Moon’s south pole.

He further noted that India’s use of space technology extends beyond launches, playing a key role in governance and infrastructure initiatives like Smart Cities, Gati Shakti and SVAMITVA, which are now being viewed internationally as successful models.

Emphasising inclusivity, Singh said several major space missions have been led by women scientists, reflecting a balanced and progressive work culture within the sector.

READ MORE: India has made Christmas carols its own over time

Referring to broader national changes, he said India has moved from a sense of pessimism to confidence and aspiration, adding that the country has also emerged as a defence exporter to more than 100 nations, with exports exceeding Rs 23,000 crore—an indicator of growing self-reliance and global confidence.