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India Spent ₹548 Crore on Astronaut Shukla’s Axiom-4 Mission
India’s government has confirmed that it spent approximately ₹548 crore on the Axiom-4 mission that carried Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). This total includes costs for training, logistics, spacecraft seat reservation, and scientific activities. Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO astronaut, spent 18 days aboard the ISS as part of this mission.
Historic Milestone for India’s Space Program
Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian to live and work on the ISS, and the second Indian in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s Soviet-era mission in 1984. The Axiom-4 mission marked a major step in India’s human spaceflight capabilities, serving as preparation for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. During his stay, Shukla conducted several experiments—especially those designed by ISRO—that will support future Indian space missions.
Strategic and Scientific Value
The expenditure faced scrutiny due to its high cost, but officials emphasized that the mission’s value extends beyond the immediate budget. The training, international coordination, and operational experience gained through this mission will help ISRO build readiness for human-led spaceflights. Shukla’s contribution strengthens India’s position in space science and exploration.
Looking Ahead to Gaganyaan
The knowledge and experience from Axiom-4 are expected to feed directly into Gaganyaan, India’s domestic crewed space mission planned for the mid-2020s. Shukla and other astronauts who trained for the ISS flight have enhanced India’s ability to conduct long-duration space missions. Their training, simulation, and hardware insights position ISRO well for upcoming uncrewed tests and eventual human spaceflight.
