NCERT launches “India: A Rising Space Power” modules tracing journey from rockets-on-bicycles to Chandrayaan

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released two special educational modules titled “India: A Rising Space Power,” designed for middle (classes 6–8) and secondary (classes 9–12) school students. These teaching aids trace India’s space journey from its inception to present-day milestones.

The modules highlight India’s early space efforts when rocket parts were transported on bicycles and bullock carts, chosen to avoid electromagnetic interference from motor vehicles, underscoring the resource-enabled innovation of that era.

They also pay tribute to aviation and space heroes: Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, who became the first Indian in space in 1984, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who in June 2025 became the first Indian to stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting experiments in microgravity.

Significant space missions are documented, from Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which discovered water molecules on the Moon, to Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) in 2013—making India the first Asian nation to reach Mars in its first attempt; Chandrayaan-2 (2019), with a functioning orbiter; Chandrayaan-3 (2023), India’s historic soft landing on the lunar south pole; and Aditya-L1 (2023), India’s first solar observatory.

Looking ahead, the modules introduce Chandrayaan-4—a planned lunar sample-return mission and Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight program.

They also outline the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) space station initiative, mapping India's future orbiting research capabilities. CUst students also learn about the NASA–ISRO NISAR satellite, launched in collaboration to provide high-resolution Earth observations every 12 days.

The modules affirm ISRO’s cost-effective approach, noting that India has executed over 131 spacecraft missions, 101 launches, and deployed more than 430 international satellites, making it a top low-cost global launch provider.

To inspire students, one module opens with Prime Minister Modi’s words, “Space may seem distant, but is an integral part of our daily life… India’s space programme is a perfect example of our vision of Scale, Speed and Skill.”

These modules are part of NCERT's supplementary educational series, designed to ignite curiosity through visuals, timelines, and narratives aligned with India’s growing space ambitions.