Why in News :
- On June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission launched by SpaceX from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
- This marks India’s re-entry into manned space missions after 41 years, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
Significance of the Mission
Historic Milestone:
- First Indian on ISS and first Indian in space since 1984.
- Symbolically important for India’s space narrative and scientific ambition.
Foundation for Gaganyaan:
- Provides critical insights and live testing ground for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission (2027).
- Shukla and backup astronaut Prasanth Nair were trained as part of this international collaboration.
Scientific Contributions:
- Shukla will conduct 7 ISRO microgravity experiments.
- 5 Indo-US joint investigations, plus 2 STEM demonstrations on ISS.
- Collaboration with top research institutions and private entities.
Strategic and Policy Dimensions
Public-Private Space Collaboration:
- Axiom Space (private) + SpaceX + NASA + ISRO = model of future multilateral space missions.
- Opens doors for India to integrate with the global space economy and diplomacy.
Financial Commitment:
- India reportedly spent ₹548 crore for this seat and training.
- Questions raised on transparency, cost-benefit justification, and public communication.
Geopolitical & Commercial Stakes:
- NASA’s ISS access may be affected by US political shifts (Trump–Biden transitions, budget cuts).
- ISS to be decommissioned by 2030—India must build independent or collaborative alternatives.
- Gaganyaan technologies being eyed by US companies for deeper space missions.
Challenges and Concerns
Cost vs Return Debate:
- While symbolically historic, the rationale for expenditure needs better public articulation.
- ISRO must define how these missions enhance India’s tech, economic, and strategic capabilities.
Mission Delays and Technical Snags:
- Multiple postponements due to weather, spacecraft issues, and ISS module delays.
- Highlights the complexity of international collaboration in spaceflight.
Private Sector Involvement:
- While India supports privatization in space (via IN-SPACe), concrete policy support for startups is still evolving.
- Axiom’s model could guide India’s space commerce evolution.
Way Forward & Lessons
- Strengthen transparency in space spending and scientific outcomes.
- Accelerate Gaganyaan preparations, using insights from Ax-4.
- Deepen Indo-US collaboration in the space sector amid shifting global alliances.
- Formulate a clear space diplomacy roadmap.
- Invest in space start-up ecosystem and private launch capabilities to stay competitive.
International Space Station (ISS)
Launched: First module Zarya in 1998; fully assembled by 2011.
Orbit: ~400 km above Earth; completes one orbit every 90 minutes at ~28,000 km/h.
Agencies Involved: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada).
Purpose: A permanently inhabited space laboratory promoting scientific research and international cooperation.
Significance
- Global Diplomacy: A rare example of long-standing international collaboration in space exploration.
- Human Spaceflight Training: Crucial platform for preparing astronauts for Moon and Mars missions.
- Space Medicine Research: Insights into Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and aging due to microgravity studies.
- Long-Duration Flight Studies: Assesses physical and psychological effects of prolonged space travel.
Key Discoveries & Innovations
Medical & Biological Research:
- Studying cellular responses to microgravity.
- Development of tissue chips and disease modeling.
- Growing food in space and studying human physiology.
Material & Physical Sciences:
- Discovery of cool flames and fifth state of matter.
- Fluid physics and colloid research evolution.
- 3D printing and manufacturing in microgravity.
Earth & Space Observation:
- Deployment of CubeSats.
- Cosmic ray data collection (~100 billion particles).
- Insights into black holes, pulsars, and unknown microbes.
| UPSC Relevance : GS Paper 2: International RelationsIndia–US Space Cooperation; Strategic Autonomy in Global Space Programs GS Paper 3: Science and TechnologyDevelopments in Space Technology; Private Sector Participation in High-Tech Domains; Innovation and R&D GS Paper 4: Ethics in Governance (indirect relevance)Transparency and Accountability Possible Mains Question Q. Discuss the significance of India’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission in the context of the country’s human spaceflight ambitions. What challenges must be addressed to ensure the long-term success of missions like Gaganyaan? (15 marks) |