India’s Astronaut Returns To Space After 40 Years: ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Mission Takes Off

ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Mission and Axiom Mission 4

India is on the brink of a historic moment in its space journey as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force prepares to head to space. Selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shukla will serve as the Mission Pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled to launch on June 11, 2025. This mission marks the first time since 1984—when Rakesh Sharma flew into space—that an Indian astronaut will travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

Ax-4 is a joint international mission led by Axiom Space and commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. It includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, with each country sending a government-sponsored participant to the ISS for the first time. Group Captain Shukla’s inclusion showcases India’s growing stature in global space exploration.

Shukla will carry out advanced experiments in space biology, focusing on how microgravity and radiation affect living organisms. He will study edible microalgae and cyanobacteria like Spirulina, which could help support long-term space missions by producing food and oxygen. Another ISRO-backed experiment, Voyager Tardigrades, will explore how microscopic creatures known as tardigrades survive the harsh conditions of space. These studies, along with research on crop seeds, muscle cell development, and other biological phenomena, aim to boost India’s scientific capabilities in space.

These efforts are closely tied to India’s ambitious Gaganyaan Programme, which aims to send Indian astronauts into Low Earth Orbit by 2027. With a dedicated budget of ₹20,193 crore, the programme is in its final stages. Four IAF officers, including Shukla, have completed intense astronaut training. India is also testing key systems like the Human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle, Crew Escape System, and Crew Module. Beyond Gaganyaan, India plans to build its own space station—Bharatiya Antariksh Station—by 2035, and even aims for a crewed Moon landing by 2040.

ISRO’s recent achievements further reflect the nation’s strong progress. Between 2015 and 2024, India launched 393 foreign satellites from 34 countries. In 2017, ISRO set a global record by deploying 104 satellites in a single launch. The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole, and the Aditya L-1 mission recently captured valuable solar flare data. India also plans to test its own spacecraft docking technology through the SpaDeX mission and develop an autonomous re-entry vehicle.

India’s partnerships with global space agencies are a cornerstone of its success. Collaborations with NASA, ESA, CNES, and JAXA span a range of missions and research efforts. Domestic growth is also strong, with over 328 space startups emerging due to liberal FDI policies and support from organizations like IN-Space.

With the space budget nearly tripling in a decade and a clear vision for 2047, India is positioning itself as a leading spacefaring nation with bold goals for lunar, interplanetary, and deep space missions.

Highlights:

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to fly on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) on June 11, 2025.
First Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
Mission part of ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Programme with SpaceX & Axiom Space.
Shukla to conduct space biology experiments, including microalgae and cyanobacteria.
Voyager Tardigrades study to explore life resilience in space conditions.
Mission aligned with India’s Gaganyaan Programme, targeting 2027 crewed launch.
Plans for Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and a Moon landing by 2040.
ISRO launched 393 foreign satellites from 34 nations between 2015–2024.
India collaborates with NASA, ESA, CNES, and JAXA on major space missions.
Over 328 Indian space startups emerging under Space Policy 2023 and new FDI rules.