In News:

India marked a historic moment in space exploration as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

Organizations Involved:

• Axiom Space – Mission organizer
• NASA – ISS host and operations support
• SpaceX – Provided Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon capsule

Launch Details:

• Launch Date: June 25, 2025
• Launch Site: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• Mission Duration: ~14 days aboard the ISS

Mission Objectives:

1. Scientific Research in Microgravity:

• Over 60 research experiments conducted across:
  • Life sciences
  • Material sciences
  • Human physiology
  • Earth observation

2. International Space Cooperation:

• Promotes global collaboration in low-Earth orbit science.
• Supports capacity-building for emerging space nations, including India, Poland, and Hungary.

3. National Space Program Development:

• Enables participating nations to strengthen human spaceflight capabilities.
• Acts as a stepping stone for India’s Gaganyaan and future space station plans.

Significance for India:

• Revival of Human Spaceflight:
  • Marks India’s return to human space missions after four decades.
  • Reinforces India's presence in international human space exploration.
• Boost to Gaganyaan Mission:
  • Offers valuable operational experience and technical collaboration.
  • Supports India’s vision to launch Gaganyaan, its first indigenous human spaceflight mission.
• Long-Term Space Ambitions:
  • Aids India’s goal to establish its own space station by 2035.
  • Positions India as a partner in space science diplomacy and global research.
• Scientific Prestige:India contributes to key microgravity experiments, enhancing its global research footprint in space.