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Shukla's presence on Axiom-4 signals global trust for India's space capabilities
Axiom-4's successful launch is a giant leap for India's space ambitions. It will inform ISRO's big-ticket projects such as the planned space station and crewed mission to the moon. Having Group Captain Shukla on board signals global trust for India's space capabilities, and sets the stage for future commercial collaborations.
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News18
an hour ago
- News18
Delhi To Now Get Artificial Rains In September With India's First DGCA-Approved Cloud Seeding Trials
Calling it a 'historic step towards implementing science-based environmental solutions", the Delhi government on Tuesday announced that it has secured final Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) clearance for conducting cloud seeding trials over Delhi. 'The approval marks the beginning of Delhi's first-ever airborne experiment to mitigate pollution through induced precipitation," the statement said. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that cloud seeding has been spoken about for years but never implemented. 'For ten years, it remained on paper. We took this up, coordinated with 13 departments, secured all approvals, including from DGCA, and now Delhi will finally witness cloud seeding between August 30 and September 10. This is a historic achievement," he said. The Plan As per the tentative flight plan prepared by the experts, cloud-seeding aircraft will fly over Kundli border zones, Alipur, Bawana, Rohini, Burari, Pavi Sadakpur, and some stretches along the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. The sorties will focus on areas most likely to support low-altitude cloud formation and high pollution retention. The cloud seeding method will involve dispersion of hygroscopic particles, like sodium chloride or other aerosols, from below the cloud layer, enhancing precipitation and improving pollutant washout in the lower atmosphere. IIT Kanpur Leading The operations will be led by the department of aerospace engineering, IIT Kanpur, using aircraft VT-IIT (Cessna 206-H), which has been fully equipped with cloud-seeding instrumentation. The crew has prior experience in similar flight missions, and all mandatory DGCA conditions, including licenses and certifications, have been complied with. For Smog-Free Winters The cloud seeding trials are part of a larger, data-driven strategy, under the Environment Action Plan 2025, to combat Delhi's toxic air during the winter months. 'These trials, scheduled for late August and early September, are scientifically timed to gather data which will be vital to calibrating and scaling up efforts during the October–December period, when Delhi typically faces increased AQI levels," the minister explained. Rescheduled Timeline
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Axiom-4 boost for Isro's manned spaceflight plans
The recent Axiom-4 mission, featuring group captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force as pilot, is far more than a symbolic gesture for India. It represents an important and strategic stepping stone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)'s ambitious Gaganyaan manned spaceflight programme. It is also a firm indication that India is now ready to move onto a more mature space programme. the Axiom-4 mission strengthens international collaboration and knowledge transfer for the Indian community, elevating India's standing as a serious and capable player in the exclusive club of human spacefaring nations. (ANI Video Grab) The Axiom-4 mission allows Isro to bridge the gap between extensive ground-based training and invaluable real-world experience, which is critical to the plans to send Indian gaganyatris into orbit. Over the last few decades, Isro has emerged as a global leader in cost-effective satellite launches and interplanetary missions, from the iconic Chandrayaan series to the Mars Orbiter Mission. However, human spaceflight has its own unique set of challenges. It requires extreme levels of safety and reliability and a focus on the needs and limitations of the human body. This is where, most importantly, Axiom-4 provides an unparalleled opportunity for practical in-space training and exposure. Shukla is part of the first batch of gaganyatris already selected by Isro. His role as pilot in the Axiom-4 flight means he has gained firsthand experience in critical aspects of human spaceflight: living and working in almost-zero gravity, handling complex spacecraft systems, responding to contingencies, and performing intricate docking procedures at the International Space Station (ISS). This 'lived experience' on a fully operational platform with a consortium of international partners is something no simulated activity can fully replicate. The physiological adaptations to sustained microgravity, the mental aspects of confinement and ISS life, the long hours of exercise and muscle toning, the complex teamwork with a truly international crew and the nuances of real-time flight dynamics, are lessons that will be directly fed back into Gaganyaan's astronaut-training modules and mission protocols. Shukla's experience in pre-launch quarantine, spacecraft ingress and egress, medical diagnostics in microgravity, and health readiness will be invaluable in the planning for Indian missions. Moreover, the major sustained activities on this mission involves critical scientific experiments with direct relevance to Gaganyaan. India's contribution to the Axiom-4 science involves biological and genetic research payloads, developed by Isro in collaboration with leading Indian institutions. These include cultivating food crops such as moong and methi sprouts, and examining strains of cyanobacteria and microalgae to study their growth rates, cellular responses, and biochemical activity in microgravity. There is research on muscle regeneration under microgravity to identify skeletal muscle dysfunction and explore therapeutic strategies. There is a close study of the functioning of tardigrades, which are among the most resilient forms of life. Finally, there are studies of the physical and cognitive impact of using devices in microgravity to inform future spacecraft computer design. These experiments are not merely academic, they are designed to address the very challenges Gaganyaan will face — ensuring sustainable food and oxygen, maintaining astronaut health, and understanding long-duration effects of space life on humans. The data gathered from these experiments will be invaluable for refining Gaganyaan's environmental control and life support systems, crew health management protocols, and overall mission design. Furthermore, the Axiom-4 mission strengthens international collaboration and knowledge transfer for the Indian community. Working alongside not just public sector partners such as the US's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), but also private players such as Axiom Space — which will soon operate an independent space station — provides Isro with unique insights into global best practices in human spaceflight operations, safety standards, and mission management. This kind of equal partnership on a global stage also elevates India's standing as a serious and capable player in the exclusive club of human spacefaring nations, rekindling the legacy of the first move in 1984 with cosmonaut wing commander Rakesh Sharma. The next crucial phases for Gaganyaan include conducting a series of uncrewed test flights, designed to rigorously test various Gaganyaan systems, including the Crew Escape System, the Crew Module's re-entry and recovery, and the performance of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle. These are important for proving the safety and reliability of the entire system. One of these will carry Vyommitra, Isro's humanoid robot, to evaluate the integrated systems and environment in the crew module for suitability for human occupants. Also being developed for Gaganyaan is the systematic and careful process of integrating the crew module, which will house the astronauts, with the service module, providing essential services like propulsion, power, and life support, is ongoing. This includes fine-tuning the human-machine interfaces and ergonomic demands based on real-world insights, which will incorporate what is learnt from the Axiom-4 mission. As Shukla gains invaluable experience on Axiom-4, the other astronaut-designates continue their rigorous training, including simulations of all mission phases, parabolic flights for microgravity exposure, water survival training, and extensive medical and psychological conditioning. The culmination of these efforts will be the maiden crewed Gaganyaan mission. This aims to send three Indian astronauts to a low Earth orbit (approximately 400 km), or LEO, for a duration of several days, before a safe splashdown in the Arabian Sea. This is currently targeted for the first quarter of 2027. Beyond Gaganyaan, India's next ambition is the assembly of our own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035. The first module is expected to launch by 2028, with the full station becoming operational by 2035. This long-term vision will provide a sustained platform for scientific research, technological development, and further LEO training of Indian astronauts. India also aims to have a crewed lunar mission in 2040. Meanwhile, Shukla and colleagues will return to Earth in the second week of July. What next? Shukla's thesis advisor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru has publicly appealed that he should come back to IISc and finish his Masters' dissertation as soon as he can. Somak Raychaudhury is vice-chancellor and professor of physics, Ashoka University. The views expressed are personal.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Mission Unlocks Commercial Horizons
New Delhi: India has entered a transformative phase in its space journey. With Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to step into the International Space Station (ISS), the nation has not only marked a historic milestone in human spaceflight but also opened the door to unprecedented commercial opportunities in the space sector. In an exclusive conversation with Dr Pawan K Goenka, Chairman of INSPACE, NDTV explored the broader implications of this mission. Dr Goenka, a key figure in shaping India's space policy and ecosystem, emphasised that this moment is not just about national pride - it's a strategic inflection point for India's space economy and private enterprise. "This is a beginning of a long journey for India," said Dr Goenka. "It signifies where we are headed, not where we are starting. Human spaceflight, lunar landing, and the Indian space station - these are all major projects that will take India into a new orbit in space." The mission, which follows an agreement signed during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Joe Biden, has enabled India to place an astronaut aboard the ISS for the first time. Group Captain Shukla is not only conducting experiments in microgravity but also absorbing knowledge from seasoned astronauts and scientists aboard the station. This hands-on experience is expected to be a game-changer for India's upcoming human spaceflight program, namely Gaganyaan. Dr Goenka highlighted the unique value of experiential learning: "You can read a lot of things, you can see a lot of things. But being there and doing it yourself is very different. Shukla is interfacing with astronauts who've been there multiple times and scientists who understand the nuances of space-based research. He will bring back insights that will directly inform ISRO and the private sector." This mission is also a critical stepping stone for India's broader ambitions. The country is preparing for its own human spaceflight in the next two years, aiming to land an Indian on the moon by 2040 and also establish an Indian space station. These initiatives will require robust infrastructure, advanced technology, and a vibrant ecosystem of private players. India's private space sector, which includes over 200 start-ups, stands to benefit immensely. "This mission creates many new opportunities," said Dr Goenka. "Start-ups and companies now have a pathway to conduct experiments in space, innovate, and translate those innovations into commercial ventures. Some may even use the ISS for research." Fields like pharmaceutical R&D and space manufacturing are expected to open up, albeit gradually. More immediately, the human spaceflight program itself will generate significant commercial activity. "Any human space program is expensive," Dr Goenka noted. "Sixty to eighty percent of that spend will flow to the private sector. That's a huge opportunity." Global companies are already taking notice. Dr Goenka confirmed that firms like Axiom Space and SpaceX are scouting India for partnerships. "In the last two to three years, the capabilities of Indian space companies have come to light. They've become bolder, more aggressive, willing to take risks. That's leading to a rediscovery of India as a space partner." While Dr Goenka did not discuss the Shukla mission directly with SpaceX's CEO during a recent meeting, he revealed that the conversation focused on Starlink's entry into India and broader collaboration possibilities. "If SpaceX sees that India can offer something that they don't have today, it will make a big difference for Indian companies." The potential for Indian rockets and crew modules to ferry cargo to the ISS or future commercial stations is no longer a distant dream. "It sounds plausible," Dr Goenka said. "In commercial space, it's all about value - technology, cost, timeliness. If India can deliver that, the world will use India." The mission also serves as a catalyst for India's space economy, which has set an ambitious target of 44 billion dollars. "Yes, this provides impetus," Dr. Goenka affirmed. "But it's not the only input we need. Success breeds success. If we see delivery from our private sector, more will happen, and it will accelerate." India's raw talent in science and technology is a key asset. Despite concerns about low R&D spending and limited intellectual property, Dr Goenka believes the country's human capital is unmatched. "Many of these talented individuals have chosen to come into space. When you meet them, you feel their passion. That's what will drive the ecosystem forward." As for Group Captain Shukla, his role could extend far beyond the confines of ISRO. "Heroes go beyond a small domain," Dr Goenka said. "He could become a spokesperson for the Indian space sector. I have a feeling he will."
