ISRO, Uttarakhand join hands: CM launches space-based governance dashboard

At the Space Conference 2025, held to highlight the contributions of Himalayan states toward India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a dashboard jointly developed by ISRO and the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST).

The dashboard aims to transform Champawat into a model district through the effective use of space-based applications in governance and development.

Emphasizing the increasing role of space technology in everyday life, Dhami stated that it has moved far beyond academic research and now plays a crucial part in sectors such as communication, agriculture, weather forecasting, disaster management, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

Addressing scientists and stakeholders at the event, he congratulated ISRO on its recent accomplishments and extended special praise to Indian scientist Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently hoisted the national flag at the International Space Station.

He described the act as “a matter of immense national pride” and said Shukla’s mission would help lay the foundation for India’s future human spaceflight efforts under the Gaganyaan program.

The Chief Minister also unveiled a new ISRO publication during the conference and reiterated his government’s commitment to promoting science, technology, and innovation.

He highlighted major initiatives being undertaken in Uttarakhand, including the development of a Science City, establishment of Innovation Centers, and creation of state-of-the-art laboratories in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and drone technology.

Dhami expressed optimism that the conference would help position Uttarakhand as a “space-technology friendly state,” significantly contributing to sustainable development.

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, who served as the chief guest, provided an overview of India’s journey in space exploration. He noted that India launched its first rocket in 1963 and has since launched over 100 rockets.

While India did not possess any satellites until 1975, it now operates 131 satellites, playing a vital role in sectors such as TV broadcasting and communication.

Narayanan announced that ISRO is currently working on a new heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying 75,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit, expected to be completed in about 27 days.

He went on to highlight several major milestones in India’s space program, including being the first country to detect water molecules on the Moon, the first to land on the Moon’s South Pole, and the fourth to study the Sun through Aditya-L1.

He also cited India’s successful first attempt at reaching Mars' orbit. Looking to the future, Narayanan said ISRO plans to establish an Indian space station by 2030 and aims to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040.

He credited the country’s growing global stature in space exploration to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing confidence that India is on track to become a developed nation by 2047.

Meanwhile, National Remote Sensing Centre Director Prakash Chauhan highlighted the increasing integration of satellite data into governance and disaster response.

He noted that Uttarakhand has digitized its livestock data and that satellite-based mapping was crucial in shaping policy and recovery efforts following the Rishiganga-Chamoli disaster.

Chauhan emphasized the importance of Earth observation, satellite communication, and navigation technologies in areas such as disaster response, forest conservation, glacier lake monitoring, forest fire tracking, and forecasting of cloudbursts and floods.