The successful participation of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s journey aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984. It is a crucial turning point in India’s space journey.
Implications of the mission:
Technological Implications:
(a) Operational Readiness and Training:
- This augments astronaut readiness for ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, planned for 2027, and enhances India’s capacity in crew operations and mission safety
- For example, Group Captain Shukla underwent eight months of rigorous training at NASA, including spacecraft systems handling, emergency preparedness, and manual docking with the ISS.
(b) Microgravity Research Capability:
- India conducted seven microgravity experiments onboard the ISS, covering areas like biosciences, agriculture, and microbial studies.
- For example, Experiments on fenugreek and moong seeds offer dual-use outcomes: space crop sustainability and terrestrial agricultural innovation.
(c) Technology Integration and Validation:
- Axiom-4 relied on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon, showcasing modular system integration and mission adaptability.
- ISRO can adopt similar commercial methodologies and sub-system outsourcing for Gaganyaan and later the Bharatiya Antariksha Station.
Implications for India’s Space Programme:
(a) Knowledge Transfer for Gaganyaan and Beyond:
- Axiom-4 served as a testbed for mission control, in-orbit logistics, and contingency planning, offering practical insights for Gaganyaan’s execution.
- For example, the coordination with multiple international partners has created an operational blueprint for India’s future missions.
(b) Preparation for Long-Term Human Presence in Space:
- Long-duration goals, such as Bharatiya Antariksha Station, will benefit from Axiom-4 insights on life support systems, crew psychology, and radiation shielding.
- ISS experience also prepares India for transitioning from short-term to sustained human space presence.
Geopolitical Implications:
(a) Strengthening Global Partnerships:
- India’s participation underlines growing collaboration with NASA, Axiom Space, and the Artemis Accord.
- For example, Axiom-4 complements Indo-US cooperation under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
(b) Enhanced Global Visibility and Governance Role:
- India’s role in ISS missions strengthens its standing in UN-COPUOS and other global governance forums.
- It symbolically positions India as a Global South representative in advanced space exploration dialogues.
(c) Boost to Private Sector and Startups:
- The mission catalyzes the Indian space startup ecosystem. For example, the MoU between Axiom Space and Skyroot Aerospace for future commercial missions is a significant step.
- Startups like Agnikul Cosmos and Bellatrix Aerospace can also benefit from increased investment confidence.
Economic Benefits:
- Axiom-4 aligns India with the global commercial human spaceflight market which is projected to reach $8 billion+ by 2030.
- It encourages the development of ancillary industries – from life sciences to launch services and telemetry.
Further steps needed:
- Institutionalize international training modules for astronauts.
- Strengthen PPP models in space infrastructure.
- Increase funding for space biosciences and microgravity research.
- Develop an integrated roadmap for commercial and scientific space missions with international collaboration.
Conclusion:
Axiom-4 is a watershed moment in India’s space journey. Through it, India can execute Gaganyaan safely and efficiently and lay foundations for Bharatiya Antariksha Station. India’s participation in Axiom-4 transforms it from a developing nation with aspirations into a key stakeholder in the 21st-century space race.
‘+1’ Value addition:
- Shubhanshu Shukla will be India’s second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.
- Agencies participating: Axiom Space (private company), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and European Space Agency (ESA).
- International Space Station is a modular space station launched in 1998 that allows astronauts to come aboard and stay for weeks or months to carry out experiments in microgravity.
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