India’s space missions key to global future, says astronaut Prashanth Nair

India’s interplanetary missions will play a defining role in shaping not just the country’s future but also the global space ecosystem, Indian Air Force Group Captain and Gaganyaan astronaut Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair said on Friday. Speaking at the Huddle Global 2025 startup festival in Kovalam, he stressed that the world increasingly expects India to contribute leadership and innovation as space-faring nations rewrite rules for outer space.

Addressing the gathering at the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM)-organised event, Nair said that India must focus on building its own strong identity in space. He pointed out that around 30 per cent of the global space workforce comprises Indian-origin professionals, including hundreds employed in major agencies like NASA. However, he emphasised that India should channel this talent towards strengthening its own missions.

Nair highlighted the significance of upcoming projects such as Gaganyaan and future Chandrayaan missions, saying they will showcase India’s ability to contribute meaningfully to global space efforts. He added that the space sector offers wide opportunities for Indian startups, from mission technologies to human-centric innovations.

Citing an example, he noted that even today, all manned space missions depend on Russian-developed toilet systems, an area where no robust alternative has emerged despite extensive research by NASA. He said such everyday challenges form crucial innovation gaps that Indian enterprises can address.

Calling for a multi-disciplinary approach, Nair urged startup founders to equip themselves with diverse skills to better understand their teams and build stronger solutions. He commended India’s space scientists for their achievements despite limited resources, contrasting them with developed nations where breakthroughs often come from collaborations between powerful private players and the government.

Nair said India’s future as a global space power will depend on how effectively startups and enterprises join hands with national missions. Their participation, he added, will ensure that India not only advances technologically but also leads in creating solutions that serve humanity from Earth to outer space.