India to Be World's Largest Low-cost Space Technology Supplier: PM Modi

"This fills every Indian's heart with pride and I can see the joy reflected on your face," Modi said from the Mission Control Room, adding today's successful launch of foreign satellites was a "global endorsement of India's space capability,” reports Reuters.

PM Modi, a space buff, tweeted, "Our government is committed to give further impetus to our Space Programme," reports PTI.

In the 25-minute speech, PM Modi said the continued progress should be the country’s mission and asked ISRO to engage with all the stakeholders to maximize the use of space science in governance and development.

According to him, the space technology is an invaluable asset in disaster management with its advanced warning systems. He said GIS (Geographic Information Systems) has transformed policy planning, implementation while space imaging enables management of resources.

Praising the Indian space scientists for the successful rocket launch, PM said they have shown the world the power of frugal engineering and imagination. He also said the cost of India's mission to Mars is lower than the cost of Hollywood movie "Gravity".

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, and the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, were also among dignitaries present with Modi.

So far, ISRO has launched 35 satellites from 19 countries including Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Singapore, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey and United Kingdom.

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