India returns to space after 41 years, Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut, Mr. Shubhanshu Shukla, lifts off on Axiom-4

Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut, Mr. Shubhanshu Shukla, made history on June 25, as Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. This marks the first Indian government-backed human spaceflight since Astronaut Wing Commander Mr. Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 mission. He is one of four astronauts shortlisted for India's Gaganyaan programme and is piloting the Crew Dragon C213 capsule aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will be the first Indian to reach the ISS. The mission, which spans 14 days and involves astronauts from the United States (US), Poland, and Hungary, includes over 60 scientific experiments covering neurofeedback, microbiome studies, wearable health tech, and cognitive research. India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is investing Rs. 550 crore (US$ 63.9 million) in Gaganyaan, currently scheduled for launch by late 2026 or early 2027.
This mission is also a milestone for India’s private space industry, with firms such as Bellatrix Aerospace, Dhruva Space, Skyroot, Agnikul Cosmos, and Manastu emerging as key players. According to a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)-EY report, India’s space economy is projected to grow from Rs. 72,299 crore (US$ 8.4 billion) in 2024 to Rs. 3,78,708 crore (US$ 44 billion) by 2033, boosting its share of the global space market from 2% to 8%. Achieving this will require an estimated Rs. 1,89,354 crore (US$ 22 billion) in fresh investments. Industry leaders believe missions like Ax-4 not only advance India’s space capabilities but also inspire innovation and attract global partnerships essential for building a self-reliant and competitive space ecosystem.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.