The ISRO chief expressed delight at what is happening in India, particularly in the space sector, with the startup ecosystem.

The world looks to India as an inspiration because of what the country has accomplished in the space sector over the last Sixty years, said S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, on September 25, 2022.

Mr. Somanath stated that he is witnessing a significant transformation in the sector as a result of bringing in startups, incubating them in space technology, and bringing great applications to develop rockets and satellites.

“The entire world looks to India as an inspirational place, and it is wonderful to see what is happening in India, particularly in the space sector and with the startup ecosystem,” he said at the event the 18th convocation of the SRM Institute of Science and Technology at Kattankulathur near Chennai.

“We always believed in others, but others never believed we could accomplish such things — constructing rockets and satellites in this country ourselves — besides having a large percentage of our own contribution [of satellites] to build them over the years and to have self-sufficiency in having our own satellites and rockets and pylons,” Mr. Somanath, who also received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of his contribution to the field.

“We currently have 50-plus satellites in operation, and at least three rockets are ready to be launched at any time from our home soil,” he said.