Lucknow, September 16: Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has highlighted the expanding opportunities in India’s space sector, saying the country’s target of 50 space launches annually by 2030 could create a wide range of career avenues for younger generations.

Shukla, the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station, said India is advancing its human spaceflight programme while the private sector is also growing rapidly.

“We are actively working on human space missions, but the private sector is also expanding rapidly. I believe that the children currently in school will have a wealth of opportunities and career options available to them when they step out into the professional world,” he said.

He said young people, particularly those from Alpha and Gen Z, are smart and forward-thinking but need the right guidance to navigate the abundance of information and distractions around them.

“Where to go next is up to them, but it’s on us to provide the information. They should get the right details,” Shukla said.

The astronaut also stressed the importance of family and friends in helping young people achieve their goals. Recalling his own mission, he said thousands of people, including the ISRO team, Exim team, friends and family, contributed to its success.

“My family and friends played a huge role in my success. None of this would have been possible without their support. So, for kids, I’d give the same message: your family and friends play a really big role,” he said.

Shukla’s remarks come as India steps up efforts to expand its space capabilities through greater collaboration between government agencies and private companies. The focus on increasing launch frequency and strengthening private-sector participation is expected to create opportunities in areas including aerospace engineering, satellite technology and space research.