India to have Bharatiya Antriksh Station in space by 2035
ISRO and Department of Biotechnology Sign Landmark MoU, Ushering in New Era of Space and Biotech Innovation
ISRO-DBT MoU to Propel India into a New Era of Space and Biotechnology, says
Dr. Jitendra Singh
Biotechnology Reaches New Heights: Dr. Jitendra Singh Hails Historic ISRO-DBT
Collaboration
India will
have its own Space Station by 2035, which will be known as "Bharatiya
Antriksh Station".
This was disclosed
here today by Union Minister of
State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy,
Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra
Singh while responding to a query from a media person after he announced the
signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
In a
significant development, the MoU marks a unique collaboration aimed to
integrate biotechnology with space technology, heralding a new era of
scientific innovation in India.
Dr. Jitendra
Singh highlighted the transformative journey of biotechnology, which has
traditionally been confined to laboratories, now reaching the vast expanse of
space. He emphasised that this MoU represents a pivotal step towards practical
applications of biotechnology, moving beyond theoretical research.
The Minister praised ISRO Chairman S. Somnath and
Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology Dr. Rajesh Gokhale for their
efforts in making this collaboration possible. He noted the historical journey
of both departments and the visionary leadership that has driven their success.
Dr. Jitendra
Singh emphasised on public-private participation, which has been instrumental
in the rapid growth of India’s space sector. He credited Prime Minister
Narendra Modi for opening up the space sector to private players, leading to a
surge in innovation and entrepreneurship. The minister pointed out that the
number of space startups has grown significantly, with nearly 300 startups now
contributing to the space economy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also spoke about the rising prominence
of biotechnology, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He
acknowledged the Department of Biotechnology’s role in developing the
first-ever DNA vaccine, which brought global recognition to India’s scientific
capabilities.
The MoU outlines several key initiatives, including the
establishment of a Bharatiya Antariksh Station and the unveiling of the BioE3
(Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy. This policy
aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing in the country, with a goal of
reaching a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. The collaboration will focus on
areas such as microgravity research, space biotechnology, space
biomanufacturing, bioastronautics, and space biology.
This partnership is expected to benefit the national
human space programme and spur innovations in human health research, novel
pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and bio-based technologies for
efficient waste management and recycling. It will also open opportunities for
startups in the space and biotechnology sectors to develop commercially
attractive technological solutions.
Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed
optimism about the future, envisioning a new era of bio-astronautics and space
biology. He highlighted the potential for groundbreaking research and
innovation that this collaboration could unlock, benefiting not just India but
the world at large.
This historic partnership between ISRO and the Department
of Biotechnology is set to pave the way for unprecedented advancements in
science and technology, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in
innovation.
The event saw the participation of ISRO Chairman S.
Somnath, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Dr.
Ramesh V. Sonti, Director of ICGEB, Dr. Alka Sharma, Chief Scientist in the
Department of Biotechnology, and other senior officers, underscoring the
high-level commitment and collaborative spirit driving this landmark
partnership.