In a country where every rupee spent is scrutinized for its social impact, India’s space programme has often faced the question: is it worth it? The answer, increasingly, is a resounding yes. Far from being a cosmic indulgence, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has built a space programme that is grounded—quite literally—in the needs of the people. It’s not just about launching satellites or planting flags on the Moon; it’s about transforming lives, powering the economy, and shaping India’s place in the world.

India’s journey into space began with humble ambitions: to harness satellite technology for development. Today, those ambitions have matured into a robust ecosystem that touches everything from agriculture to disaster management, from education to national security. And with the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), India has taken a bold step into the realm of human spaceflight—bringing us closer to the stars, and to our own aspirations as a developed nation.

ISRO’s satellites don’t just orbit the Earth—they orbit the lives of millions of Indians. The INSAT and GSAT series have revolutionized communication, bringing connectivity to remote villages, enabling telemedicine for underserved populations, and powering distance education for students who might otherwise be left behind. In a country as vast and diverse as ours, these satellites are lifelines. They don’t just soar, they serve.

In the fields of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, farmers use data from Earth observation satellites like Resourcesat to........

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