“India Is a Partner, Not a Passenger”: S Somanath on Shukla’s ISS Mission Boosting Gaganyaan
Former ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath has underscored the historic significance of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s presence aboard the International Space Station, stating that India is no longer just a passenger in global space missions. “India is a partner, a participant, and a future-ready crew,” he said, describing the event as a defining moment for India’s aspirations in human spaceflight.
Shukla’s participation in the Axiom-4 private mission has been hailed as a strategic milestone that directly contributes to India’s indigenous Gaganyaan program. Launched from Florida aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, the crewed mission reached the ISS carrying astronauts from multiple nations. For India, Shukla’s involvement is far more than symbolic—it represents operational immersion in crewed spaceflight dynamics that will influence future ISRO-led missions.
Gaganyaan
Dr Somanath stressed that the knowledge gained from Shukla’s mission will be invaluable for the Gaganyaan project, India’s flagship human spaceflight initiative scheduled to launch around 2027. Observations on crew health management, life support systems, space mission safety protocols, and payload execution are expected to be integrated into Gaganyaan’s planning and training modules. The data from Shukla’s scientific research aboard the ISS—especially on muscle physiology, plant germination in microgravity, and microbiological studies—will help Indian scientists simulate and prepare for real-time long-duration missions.
S Somnath
Having previously headed the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, and led critical missions including Chandrayaan-2, Somanath’s leadership has been pivotal in India’s space program evolution. As the architect behind India’s heavy-lift launch vehicles like GSLV Mk-III, his insights into human-rated systems and international collaboration continue to shape strategic thinking at ISRO.
ISS Mission
The Ax-4 mission is seen as a bridge between India’s current collaborative ventures and its aim for independent space capability. Shukla’s onboard experiments are contributing practical learnings on space biology and astronaut behavior in zero-gravity—elements that go beyond textbook simulations. These outcomes are expected to enhance Gaganyaan’s design robustness and mission success probability.
