From Symbolism to Strategy: India’s Space Journey

Context

India is advancing towards sending humans into space through its ambitious Gaganyaan mission. The upcoming Axiom-4 mission, featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, marks a crucial preparatory step. While not led by ISRO, it aligns with India’s long-term goals of human space exploration.

From Symbolic to Strategic: India’s Space Journey

• In 1984, Rakesh Sharma became India’s first astronaut, but the mission had limited long-term impact due to lack of infrastructure.

• Today, with missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, ISRO has evolved into a globally respected space agency.

Why Shukla’s Mission Matters

• Shukla will be India’s first astronaut on the ISS, gaining critical experience in spacecraft operations, orbital navigation, and real-time decision-making.

• His learning will directly aid the Gaganyaan mission, offering updated knowledge compared to past missions.

Gaganyaan and the Road Ahead

• Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, has been delayed but remains a top priority.

• It demands complex safety measures and astronaut training—areas where Shukla’s mission will provide valuable groundwork.

India’s First Customised Experiments in Space

• ISRO will conduct India-specific space experiments during Axiom-4:

  • Zero-gravity muscle degradation study to understand human health in space.

  • Biological experiments on moong dal sprouts and micro-algae for space agriculture.

Vision 2040: Human Moon Mission & Indian Space Station

• India aims to:

  • Send humans to the Moon by 2040.

  • Establish an Indian space station by 2035.

• Shukla’s mission is a step towards realising this long-term vision.

Building a Strong Space Ecosystem

• A robust space ecosystem with private sector participation is essential to:

  • Reduce costs

  • Accelerate innovation

  • Enhance global competitiveness

Tapping the Space Economy

• The global space market, valued at $500 billion, is expected to double by 2030.

• India’s share is just 2%. The target is to raise it to 10% to boost economic growth.

Inspiring Future Generations

• Missions like Shukla’s can inspire Indian youth to pursue careers in STEM and space research, turning aspiration into participation.