Indian Economy News

India Pioneers Space Debris Removal; Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Announces Vision of Debris-Free Space by 2030

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh announced a vision of achieving debris-free space by 2030. The announcement highlighted India’s emergence among the early global pioneers in space debris removal. Dr. Jitendra Singh virtually inaugurated Cosmoserve Space’s Base 1 facility in Hyderabad on November 5, 2026, in the presence of Minister for IT and Industries, Government of Telangana, Mr. D. Sridhar Babu. Spread across approximately 14,800 square feet, the facility will design, build, test and operate space robots for active debris removal (ADR) and in-orbit servicing. It houses orbital rendezvous and capture labs, microgravity simulation platforms and satellite integration clean rooms.

Cosmoserve Space’s Mission EMBRACE conducted an in-space test of soft robotic petals in July 2026, within a year of the company’s formation. The company has partnered with Pixxel for satellite systems, Dhruv Aerospace Netherlands for propulsion systems and Skyroot Aerospace for launch services. Crediting the space reforms of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India’s space economy has grown to nearly Rs. 85,237.76 crore (US$ 9 billion). It is projected to reach Rs. 3.79-4.26 lakh crore (US$ 40-45 billion) in the coming decade. The space startup ecosystem has expanded from single digits to nearly 450 enterprises, supported by NewSpace India Limited and IN-SPACe. Domestic and international investors were urged to participate more actively in the space sector.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.