Latest news with #IAF
The Print
4 hours ago
- Science
- The Print
Rakesh Sharma to Shubhanshu Shukla—India's space programme is entering a bold new era
After multiple delays, the mission finally took flight from the NASA Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. First, the weather, and then leaks observed in the rocket and the Russian module of the ISS, delayed the launch for nearly a month. As part of the Axiom-4 mission, a private human spaceflight led by US space company Axiom Space, Group Captain Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) reached the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. He became the first Indian to ever set foot in the facility. New Delhi: It was a 41-year wait for Indians before they could finally witness one of them put on an astronaut suit, strap into a rocket, and launch into space. Rakesh Sharma did it in 1984, and Shubhanshu Shukla in 2025. The time, the place, and the mission were vastly different, but what did not change was the fervour with which their countrymen rooted for their success. But when the rocket finally took off, the wait seemed worth it. Now that Shukla has reached the ISS, his 14-day stay will be spent leading seven experiments developed by top Indian research institutions. He will also participate in over 60 scientific experiments and other activities in microgravity. With India preparing for its first human spaceflight, Gaganyaan—set to launch by 2027—Shukla's flight to space comes as an important pre-game experience, and that is why India's human spaceflight journey from Sharma to Shukla is ThePrint Newsmaker of the Week. Sharma to Shukla IAF Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was 35 when he was chosen to be a part of the Soviet mission, Soyuz T-11, in 1982. His interaction with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the Russian space station Salyut 7 is etched in history. When asked how India looks from space, he proudly said, 'Saare jahan se accha'. Sharma's selection for the USSR mission was a significant moment in history, not just for India but for the global collaborative space programme. During the Cold War, between 1947 and 1991, the Soviet Union introduced the Intercosmos initiative to partner with allied and friendly countries. India got a chance to send an astronaut-designate as part of this deal. Sharma, who was a squadron leader back then, was also a test pilot with the IAF. This automatically qualified him as a possible applicant. But this was just the first step to a strenuous two-year training. He underwent several training rounds and beat over 150 candidates before his selection. The training involved facing high G-forces or gravitational force equivalents, sensory deprivation tests, and cardiovascular and vestibular stress simulations. 'But it was all worth it. No matter how hard you train, nothing can completely prepare you for space,' Sharma said in an earlier conversation with ThePrint. For Shukla, who was born a year after the Soviet mission, Sharma became a hero. Still unsure of whether he would be able to fly to space like his idol, he followed Sharma's footsteps to become a test pilot first. In 2019, his dream came true. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which had been working to develop the country's human spaceflight, called for applications from test pilots from the IAF to be a part of the mission. Along with Shukla, Group Captain Prasanth B Nair, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Group Captain Ajit Krishnan were also chosen to be a part of India's much-awaited Gaganyaan mission. Thus began nearly four years of training for India's very own human spaceflight. And it was midway through training for Gaganyaan that the opportunity for Axiom-4 came up. Shukla became the chosen one, with Nair as his backup crew in the mission. Also read: Axiom-4 has venture capitalists looking skyward, but investment in space tech needs an attitude reset Setting the stage for Gaganyaan Sharma and Shukla's missions are starkly different—though equally significant—not only because of the countries leading them, but where they stand in history. Axiom-4, with Shukla as the mission pilot, comes at a time when the Indian space programme is powering through. It has already reached the Moon and aims to build its very own space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035. In the five years after that, India aims to land a human on the Moon. ISRO is also designing missions to explore Venus and Mars, and bring back samples from the Moon. With the Indian Space Policy 2023, the government has also opened the sector to private players. Astrophysicist and Ashoka University vice-chancellor Somak Raychaudhury said that learnings from Axiom-4 will help improve India's own human spaceflight. 'There would be a lot of tech and logistical learnings from the mission that we will be able to implement in Gaganyaan,' he added. The mission's impact will go beyond policy rooms, labs, and launch pads to classrooms, social media, and public discussions. Axiom-4 marks the beginning of India's space aspirations for the decades ahead. And Shukla has become the face of it. Views are personal. (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 hours ago
- Science
- First Post
This Week in Explainers: What will Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla do in space?
Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) on the Axiom-4 Mission. As he and his three other colleagues adjust to microgravity, what will they do during their 14-day stay in space? All this and more in our weekly roundup read more Visiting crew in dark blue, Axiom Space's Peggy Whitson, left, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, 2nd left, India's Shubhanshu Shukla, center, and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, center right, aboard the International Space Station, June 26, 2025. Nasa via AP It was a week of pride for India. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4). He flew to space on board SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket that blasted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The UK Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet continues to be stranded in Kerala, two weeks after it made an emergency landing. The aircraft is parked in an open space at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A blockbuster weight-loss drug, Wegovy, has entered the Indian market. Weight-loss jabs have taken the world by storm. Their popularity has grown as they effectively help people lose weight. Here is all this and more in our weekly wrap from India. 1. Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , along with three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission, reached the ISS on the Crew Dragon spacecraft after a 28-hour journey around the Earth. With this, Shukla became only the second Indian to go to space. From Earth to orbit, cultures, crews, and missions unite 250 miles above our world. A heartfelt welcome to the #Ax4 crew as they join Expedition 73 aboard the International @Space_Station. — NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) June 26, 2025 In his first message from space, the Indian astronaut described his journey as a 'wonderful ride'. Shukla and his team will spend 14 days on the International Space Station and carry out dozens of experiments. But what are these? We take a look here . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2. The British Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning jet is grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The aircraft made an emergency landing on the night of June 14 as it was low on fuel and encountered bad weather. The advanced fifth-generation fighter jet is part of the UK Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the British plane was 'undertaking routine flying outside of the Indian Air Defence Identification Zone' when it faced problems and Thiruvananthapuram was 'earmarked as the emergency recovery field'. But even after two weeks, why has the jet not left India yet? Read our story to know more. 3. Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani will script history by becoming New York City's mayor. The 33-year-old has defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the NYC Democratic primary election. If elected, Mamdani will be New York's first Muslim and Indian-American mayor. His stunning victory over Cuomo has brought one of his old posts about a politician from Kerala — Arya Rajendran — to the limelight. But who is she? Why did Mamdani retweet a post about her? Here's our story . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 4. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has launched its weight-loss drug Wegovy in India. Semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, is a prescription drug to tackle obesity and reduce cardiovascular risks. The launch comes just a few months after the US-based pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, introduced Mounjaro in India. Chemically known as tirzepatide, it is a diabetes and weight-loss drug. As Wegovy makes its way to the Indian market, we take a look at how it works and compare it with Mounjaro . 5. India's iconic Kolhapuri chappals have made it to the international stage. Prada exhibited its Men's Spring Summer 2026 collection with its models seen walking the runway wearing the 'toe ring sandals'. The visuals drew the ire of netizens, who criticised Prada for not giving credit to India for the footwear choice. From Louis Vuitton's Snakes and Ladders runway to Chanel's nod to sarees, India has always 'inspired' fashion across the world. We take a look here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 6. The gang rape of a 24-year-old law student in West Bengal has shocked the state. Three people have been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting the student inside the law college premises in South Kolkata on June 25. The case has triggered a political furore in Bengal, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slamming the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the law and order situation. The saffron party has also raked up the RG Kar rape-murder case to target the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Here's how the horrific gang rape of the law student came to light. 7. A Chennai techie's obsessive love turned ugly when she committed dark crimes to implicate her love interest. After the man she loved married another woman, Rene Joshilda allegedly used her tech skills to frame him by sending hoax bomb threats across 12 states. Rene Joshilda is accused of sending hoax bomb threats. Image Courtesy: X The 30-year-old used allegedly fake email IDs, virtual private networks (VPNs), and the dark web to stay off the radar. However, a small mistake by the robotics engineer proved to be her undoing, leading to her arrest. What happened? Read our story to find out. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is all we have for you this week. If you like how we explain news, you can bookmark this page .
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Navy must be ready for new normal in war on terror: Admiral
NEW DELHI: India's new approach to treat any act of terror as an act of war has added a new dimension to the Navy's operational outlook after the conduct of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said Friday. "We must be prepared for this new normal," the Navy chief said at an investiture ceremony here. Over 35 Indian warships and submarines led by aircraft carrier INS Vikrant , with its MiG-29K fighters, were forward deployed in a dissuasive deterrent posture against Pakistan in the northern Arabian Sea last month. "Our ships, submarines and aircraft were operationally ready and deployed, projecting strength and preparedness to deter any potential actions from our western adversary," Admiral Tripathi said. "This rapid and measured response not only showcased our strategic reach and maritime dominance but also sent a clear message of resolve - forcing our adversary to plead for ceasefire. I would say, just in time." The Navy's forward deployment at the time IAF and Army launched deep precision strikes against nine terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK on May 7 ensured the Pakistan navy remained bottled up within its own shores in a defensive mode. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Navy's role has become more critical than ever as India navigates an era filled with the complex and rapidly changing global security environment. "The shifting geopolitical and geostrategic landscape, along with various ongoing conflicts worldwide, has significantly increased the frequency, diversity and complexity of our tasks," Admiral Tripathi said. "As the fastest-growing service, the Navy is continuously enhancing its operational capabilities by embracing cutting-edge technologies and inducting state-of-the-art ships, subs, aircraft, unmanned systems, space-based assets and Al-driven platforms," he added.
India Gazette
12 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
4415 Indians evacuated from conflict zones in Iran, Israel via 19 special flights: MEA
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): The Indian government has initiated Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones in Iran and Israel amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The operation, which began on June 18, has successfully evacuated over 4415 Indian nationals so far. 'A total of 4415 Indian nationals (3597 from Iran and 818 from Israel) have been evacuated so far using 19 special evacuation flights, including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft. 14 OCI card-holders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankan nationals and 1 Iranian spouse of an Indian national were also evacuated from Iran,' the Ministry of External Affairs said. 'The evacuated Indian nationals included more than 1500 women and 500 children,' it added. According to MEA, on 17-18 June, Indian Missions in Tehran, Yerevan, and Ashgabat coordinated the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran through land border crossings to Armenia and Turkmenistan. Special evacuation flights commenced on 18 June and facilitated the return of Indian nationals to New Delhi. The majority of evacuations were carried out through Mashhad, following Iran's opening of its airspace for evacuation flights under Operation Sindhu on June 20 at India's request. 'We thank the Government of Iran for this gesture. A total of 3597 Indian nationals -- including students, workers, professionals, pilgrims and fishermen - from more than 15 Indian states - were brought back to India from Yerevan, Ashgabat and Mashhad from June 18 to 26using 15 special evacuation flights,' as per MEA. The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu commenced on June 23. Indian Missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman and Cairo facilitated the movement of Indian nationals across land borders to Jordan and Egypt. A total of 818 Indian nationals were evacuated, including students, workers and professionals. They were evacuated from Amman and Sharm al Sheikh from June 22 to 25 using four evacuation flights including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft. MEA noted that, 'in view of the reopening of the airspace, evacuation operations were halted on June 25. Further actions will be taken based on the evolving situation in West Asia.' The Government of India is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Under PM Narendra Modi's guidance, Operation Sindhu is another demonstration of this commitment, said the MEA. 'We thank the Governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia and Turkmenistan for their support during Operation Sindhu. Indian Missions will stay engaged with host Governments and the Indian community in Iran, Israel and the wider West Asia region,' it added. (ANI)
India.com
14 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
4415 Indian nationals brought home from Iran and Israel under Operation Sindhu: MEA
New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. L. Murugan receives 268 Indian nationals repatriated from Israel under Operation Sindhu upon their arrival in an IAF C-17 flight from Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS/X/@MEAIndia) New Delhi: A total of 4415 Indian nationals – 3597 from Iran and 818 from Israel – have been evacuated so far using 19 special evacuation flights during Operation Sindhu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The evacuated Indian nationals included more than 1500 women and 500 children. The flights, including three C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, also brought home 14 OCI card-holders, nine Nepali nationals, four Sri Lankan nationals and one Iranian spouse of an Indian national. As tensions escalated in West Asia, the government of India had launched Operation Sindhu on June 18 to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones in Iran and Israel. On June 17-18, Indian Missions in Tehran, Yerevan, and Ashgabat coordinated the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran through land border crossings to Armenia and Turkmenistan. Special evacuation flights commenced on June 18 and facilitated the return of Indian nationals to New Delhi. The majority of evacuations were carried out through Mashhad, after Iran opened its airspace for evacuation flights under Operation Sindhu on June 20 on New Delhi's request. 'We thank the Government of Iran for this gesture. A total of 3597 Indian nationals — including students, workers, professionals, pilgrims and fishermen – from more than 15 Indian states – were brought back to India from Yerevan, Ashgabat and Mashhad from June 18-26 using 15 special evacuation flights,' the MEA stated. The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu commenced on June 23 with the Indian Missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman and Cairo facilitating the movement of Indian nationals across land borders to Jordan and Egypt. A total of 818 Indian nationals were evacuated, including students, workers and professionals. They were evacuated from Amman and Sharm al Sheikh from June 22-25 using four evacuation flights, including three IAF C-17 aircraft. 'The Government of India is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Under PM Narendra Modi's guidance, Operation Sindhu is another demonstration of this commitment. We thank the Governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia and Turkmenistan for their support during Operation Sindhu. Indian Missions will stay engaged with host Governments and the Indian community in Iran, Israel and the wider West Asia region,' read the statement issued by the MEA. It added that, in view of the re-opening of the airspace, evacuation operations were halted on June 25 and further actions will be taken based on the evolving situation in West Asia.
