Jitendra Singh inaugurates Hyderabad space robotics facility, outlines debris-free space vision for 2030

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday outlined a vision for debris-free space by 2030 while virtually inaugurating Cosmoserve Space’s Base 1 facility in Hyderabad, dedicated to active space debris removal and in-orbit servicing.

Speaking from Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh said India was emerging among the early global pioneers in debris-removal technology, with private startups developing capabilities to make space safer and more sustainable.

The approximately 14,800-square-foot facility at VSD Tech Park in Gachibowli brings together the design, construction, testing and operation of space robots. It houses orbital rendezvous and capture laboratories, space robotics innovation labs, microgravity simulation platforms, satellite integration clean rooms and mission control facilities.

Telangana IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu and Cosmoserve Space founder and CEO Dr Chiranjeevi Phanindra attended the inauguration in Hyderabad.

Singh praised the company’s Mission EMBRACE, which conducted an in-space test of soft robotic petals in July 2026, within a year of its formation. He said the milestone reflected the growing technological maturity of India’s private space sector.

He also highlighted how the team was applying experience gained at ISRO and through the Gaganyaan programme to private-sector development and collaboration.

The Minister cited Cosmoserve Space’s partnerships with Pixel for satellite systems, Dhruv Aerospace Netherlands for propulsion systems and Skyroot Aerospace for launch services as examples of collaboration across the space industry.

Indian startups were combining domestic payloads, battery technologies, satellite systems and private launch capabilities to develop integrated missions, he said.

Crediting the government’s space reforms and the enabling role of NewSpace India Limited and IN-SPACe, Singh said India’s space economy had grown to nearly $9 billion and was projected to reach $40–45 billion over the coming decade.

The number of space startups had increased from single digits to nearly 450, he added.

Singh said India had long possessed scientific talent and technological capabilities but needed an ecosystem that allowed young innovators to realise their potential. He invited greater participation from domestic and international investors and called for increased philanthropy in science and research.

Technological self-reliance and sovereign capabilities remained central objectives alongside international partnerships, he said, citing Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan as examples of India’s ability to pursue sophisticated missions at comparatively low costs.

The Minister also highlighted space technology’s applications in infrastructure planning under Gati Shakti, smart cities and disaster preparedness.

Describing Cosmoserve Space’s work as an expression of “Vishwa Bandhu Bharat”, Singh said its contribution to space sustainability extended beyond national boundaries and would benefit humanity.

(PIB)

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