Axiom-4 Mission: Creating our own space
Research: Ax-4 carries with it 7 cutting-edge research experiments, focusing on space biology and bioengineering: 1. Microalgae growth under space radiation by International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) and National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR). 2. Seed sprouting in microgravity by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, and IIT Dharwad.3. Gene expression studies on survival and adaptation of tardigrades in space by IISc Bangalore.4. Research on muscle regeneration under microgravity, led by inStem, on the effects of metabolic supplements.5. Another IISc-led project examines human interaction with electronic displays in orbital environments.6. ICGEB also contributes a study comparing nutrient utilisation in cyanobacteria using urea and nitrate in microgravity.
7. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) project investigates the impact of microgravity on crop growth and yield.
These diverse yet complementary studies are vital steps toward developing bioregenerative life support systems, essential for sustaining human life during long-duration space missions and future space settlements.
Strategic implications: Ax-4 supports the Gaganyaan roadmap and future missions by providing real-time exposure and hands-on experience in space medicine, orbital operations, crew management, mission planning and bioastronautics. While Shukla is in orbit, several other Indians involved in on-ground mission support will be gaining invaluable insight into managing complex space missions.
Future ready: This mission also aligns with India's BioE3 policy, which focuses on developing national leadership in biotech and space-based life sciences. In the long term, such experiences will feed into India's goal of establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and sending a crewed mission to the moon by 2040. The future includes a series of uncrewed test flights under the Gaganyaan programme, which will validate critical technologies and strengthen mission readiness. By the end of the decade, development of BAS is expected to begin, with its initial modules likely to launch around 2028. Together, Gaganyaan and BAS will become twin pillars of India's human spaceflight efforts, both as platforms for advanced research and hubs for international collaboration.The global space landscape is evolving rapidly. Several commercial and national space stations are either planned or under construction. These include Axiom Space's private station, Blue Origin's Orbital Reef, StarLab (a US-Japan collaboration), Russia's proposed ROS, Nasa's Lunar Gateway, and China's Tiangong Station. These ventures reflect a shift from purely government-led missions to multi-stakeholder platforms supporting research, industry and space tourism.To remain an active and influential participant in this new era, India must deepen its international engagements, forging partnerships with national agencies and private space firms. This will not only expand opportunities for vyomanauts to fly aboard missions beyond Gaganyaan, but also reinforce India's position as avital contributor to humanity's shared journey into space.Ax-4 highlights the increasing importance of science diplomacy and technological exchange in a rapidly evolving, multipolar space ecosystem. For India, it rekindles the spacefaring legacy first ignited in 1984 with cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, and now propels the nation toward a more active, independent and globally integrated role in human spaceflight.Ax-4 is not merely a journey to ISS but also a bold leap into the future, unlocking new pathways for scientific discovery, international cooperation and the vast potential of human presence beyond Earth. It stands as a powerful symbol of how India is poised to leapfrog into the next era of space exploration, not as a follower but as a frontrunner in shaping the future of humanity in space.
Adefining trait of India's space journey has been Isro's philosophy of learning before leading. It has strategically partnered global agencies to absorb knowledge, develop expertise and build indigenous capability. From early collaborations with the Soviet Union and Nasa to mastering satellite tech, launch vehicles, interplanetary missions and now human spaceflight, Isro has consistently transformed each international engagement into a foundation for selfreliant progress. Ax-4 is another such milestone, an opportunity to learn from the best, and then translate those insights into India's own systems, missions and ambitions. It reinforces a model that has long defined Isro's brand: quiet resilience, scientific excellence and pursuit of sovereign strength in space.
The writer is former chairman, Isro
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Crash. Silence. Confusion. How India's air accident watchdog is failing its biggest test yet
HDB Financial may be cheaper than Bajaj Fin, but what about returns?
Index funds were meant to simplify investing. Why are they overwhelming investors now?
Second only to L&T, but controversies may weaken this infra powerhouse's growth story
How Vedanta's Anil Agarwal bettered Warren Buffett in returns
Stock Radar: Buy on Dips! Bharat Dynamics pare gains after hitting record highs in May 2025; check target & stop loss
Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
These large-caps have 'strong buy' & 'buy' recos and an upside potential of more than 25%
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
As Shubhanshu Shukla returns home, Parliament plans special discussion on mission on Monday
The Lok Sabha on Monday will hold a special discussion on India's space journey and Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), according to a notice issued by the Lower House. IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla being received by Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and Union minister Jitendra Singh at IGI airport early on Sunday (HT Photo/Arvind Yadav) The House will debate on 'India's first astronaut aboard the ISS –– critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047', a subject that can possibly end the deadlock in Parliament to hail India's new milestone in space journey. Shukla landed in New Delhi in the early hours of Sunday following his two-week long mission aboard the ISS in June-July. The discussion has been scheduled amid the Opposition's efforts to raise the issue of alleged manipulation of voter lists and the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. Opposition leaders have sought a discussion over the SIR issue. However, the government has taken a stand that the House cannot take up a discussion on the matter as the case is sub judice in the Supreme Court and relates to Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous body, Protests over the same have led to the transaction of limited business in Parliament. 'But, given the nature of the debate on Shukla's journey to the ISS, there is a scope that the Opposition may join the discussion,' a senior Congress leader said on anonymity. In June, Shukla became the second Indian to go to space –– after IAF wing commander Rakesh Sharma –– as part of the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. He returned to Earth on July 16. Alongside Shukla, the Ax-4 mission marked the return to human spaceflight programme for India, Poland and Hungary in over four decades. Representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Shukla's return with all the learnings and experience from the Ax-4 mission is an important step for the Gaganyaan mission and setting up the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (the Indian Space Station). In her address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu mentioned Shukla's feat and said, 'I am sure that Shubhanshu Shukla's space journey to the International Space Station has fired a whole generation to dream bigger. It will prove extremely helpful for India's upcoming human space flight program, 'Gaganyaan'.' The Department of Space described Shukla's mission as one of 'strategic importance' and India's resolve to emerge as a serious contender in human space exploration. During his address on the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Shukla's historic visit. 'Every citizen of the country is seeing the wonders of the space sector and is filled with pride. And our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. He is also coming to India in a few days. We are also preparing for Aatmanirbhar Bharat Gaganyaan on our own in space. We are working towards building our own space station on our own,' he said.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla lands in Delhi, meets ISRO chairman, Delhi CM
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to India in the early hours on Sunday, a month after the successful completion of the historic Axiom-4 mission. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta receives Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla upon his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, in New Delhi, early Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (PTI) Shukla, after landing in Delhi, met ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Union MoS for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh. Singh shared a post on X alongside a video of Shukla meeting with dignitaries and leaders upon his arrival. 'India's Space glory touches the Indian soil… as the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla lands at Delhi in the early hours of morning today,' Singh said in the post.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Shubhanshu Shukla set to return home today; Parl plans special session on mission
The Lok Sabha on Monday will hold a special discussion on India's space journey and Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), according to a notice issued by the Lower House. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and union minister Jitendra Singh receive astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on his arrival at the IGI airport, in New Delhi, early Sunday,(PTI) The House will debate on 'India's first astronaut aboard the ISS –– critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047', a subject that can possibly end the deadlock in Parliament to hail India's new milestone in space journey. Shukla landed in New Delhi in the early hours of Sunday following his two-week long mission aboard the ISS in June-July. The session has been scheduled amid the Opposition's efforts to raise the issue of alleged manipulation of voter lists and the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. Opposition leaders have sought a discussion over the SIR issue. However, the government has taken a stand that the House cannot take up a discussion on the matter as the case is sub judice in the Supreme Court and relates to Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous body, Protests over the same have led to the transaction of limited business in Parliament. 'But, given the nature of the debate on Shukla's journey to the ISS, there is a scope that the Opposition may join the discussion,' a senior Congress leader said on anonymity. In June, Shukla became the second Indian to go to space –– after IAF wing commander Rakesh Sharma –– as part of the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. He returned to Earth on July 16. Alongside Shukla, the Ax-4 mission marked the return to human spaceflight programme for India, Poland and Hungary in over four decades. Representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Shukla's return with all the learnings and experience from the Ax-4 mission is an important step for the Gaganyaan mission and setting up the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (the Indian Space Station). In her address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu mentioned Shukla's feat and said, 'I am sure that Shubhanshu Shukla's space journey to the International Space Station has fired a whole generation to dream bigger. It will prove extremely helpful for India's upcoming human space flight program, 'Gaganyaan'.' The Department of Space described Shukla's mission as one of 'strategic importance' and India's resolve to emerge as a serious contender in human space exploration. During his address on the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Shukla's historic visit. 'Every citizen of the country is seeing the wonders of the space sector and is filled with pride. And our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. He is also coming to India in a few days. We are also preparing for Aatmanirbhar Bharat Gaganyaan on our own in space. We are working towards building our own space station on our own,' he said.
