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India returns to space after 41 yrs, Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off on Axiom-4
This is the first time since Rakesh Sharma's historic 1984 flight aboard the Soviet Soyuz that the Indian government has backed a human spaceflight mission. With this launch, Shukla will become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) and the second to enter space under a government-sponsored programme. His arrival at the ISS is expected on Thursday, following a journey of approximately 28 hours.
Shubhanshu Shukla pilots Dragon
Shukla's journey aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon C213 capsule, launched via a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, marks a crucial step for India's Gaganyaan programme. As one of four astronauts shortlisted for Gaganyaan — slated for late 2026 or early 2027 — his role as mission pilot provides India with operational experience critical for the indigenous human spaceflight initiative.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has reportedly allocated ₹550 crore for the mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had revealed the Gaganyaan astronaut shortlist in February 2023, naming Shukla along with Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Prathap.
'This mission marks a big step for India, not just in human spaceflight, but also for our growing private space industry. We believe missions like this will inspire the next generation of innovators,' said Yashas Karanam, co-founder and chief operating officer of Bellatrix Aerospace.
Global crew, experiments from 31 countries
The 14-day Axiom-4 mission includes astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary. Together, the crew will conduct approximately 60 research experiments representing 31 countries.
Contributions come from the European Space Agency (ESA), Nasa, and Hungary's HUNOR programme. Polish research will focus on neurofeedback, gut microbiome shifts, and wearable health devices. Hungarian experiments will explore cognitive response, motor function, and the impact of space conditions on fruit flies.
India's private space sector poised for expansion
The mission arrives amid a transformative period for India's space economy. According to a FICCI-EY report released in March, the sector — currently valued at $8.4 billion — is projected to grow fivefold to $44 billion by 2033. India's share in the global space market could rise from 2 per cent to 8 per cent, though this would require cumulative investments of $22 billion over the next decade.
A new generation of startups is propelling this ambition. Firms like Dhruva Space, Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Manastu, and Bellatrix Aerospace are innovating across propulsion, launch vehicles, and satellite design. Meanwhile, established players like MapmyIndia are leveraging their mapping expertise to develop geospatial and navigation solutions for the space sector.
Shukla's journey is more than a personal milestone — it's a signal of India's expanding footprint in space and a precursor to more frequent, more ambitious human missions in the years ahead.
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