India’s Space Ambition: A 40-Storey Rocket to Lift 75 Tonnes
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is aiming high—literally. Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan recently shared that the agency is developing a super-heavy rocket roughly the height of a 40-storey building, capable of lifting around 75 tonnes into low Earth orbit.
This marks a major leap from ISRO’s early days. Dr. Narayanan compared the upcoming rocket to India’s first launch vehicle, which could carry just 35 kilograms. Today’s goal represents an increase of thousands of times in payload capacity.
A Leap from Humble Beginnings
Dr. V. Narayanan, ISRO Chairman, highlighted how far India has come since its early days. The first Indian launch vehicle, designed under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, could carry only 35 kilograms into space. The new rocket’s ability to transport 75,000 kilograms represents an exponential increase in payload capacity, showcasing India’s rapid progress in space technology.
The new rocket is expected to support a range of future missions, including:
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Launching large satellites and satellite clusters.
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Supporting human spaceflight or space station projects.
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Carrying heavy payloads for commercial and international customers.
Upcoming Missions and Satellite Plans
Currently, India operates around 55 satellites, and the goal is to triple this number in the next few years, reflecting a sharp growth in domestic capabilities and commercial launch activity.
ISRO’s agenda also includes:
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Expanding the NAVIC navigation constellation for better coverage and accuracy.
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Launching upgraded communication satellites, including those supporting naval operations.
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Deploying technology demonstration satellites to test new innovations in space systems.
India currently operates around 55 satellites, and the plan is to significantly increase this number in the next few years. This growth reflects ISRO’s broader vision of strengthening India’s presence in space, both for science and commercial purposes.
With this new super-heavy rocket, India moves closer to joining the ranks of countries capable of lifting massive payloads to orbit, opening doors for ambitious space exploration missions in the coming decade. The project represents a long-term vision: India is not just focusing on launching satellites but is gearing up to become a key player in large-scale space exploration. From lifting small satellites to deploying payloads weighing tens of thousands of kilograms, the journey highlights the remarkable growth of ISRO’s capabilities over the decades. India’s super-heavy rocket is more than just a technological feat—it’s a statement of intent: the country is ready to take its place among the leaders of modern space exploration.