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The official state visit of Prime Minster Narendra Modi to USA in June, 2023 has led to another defining chapter in Indian space programme, in terms of a collaborative international human space mission
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This mission with ISRO’s Gaganyatri marks the visit of first Indian ever to the International Space Station (ISS). During this mission, ISRO’s Gaganyatri will carry out Indian microgravity research experiments onboard International Space Station
Bengaluru, April 28. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) since its inception is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and the humankind. Through 4000 sounding rockets and 236 missions achieved till date, ISRO has endeavoured to build as well as enhance national capabilities in critical areas such as remote sensing, communication, navigation, disaster management and space sciences.
With the approval of Gaganyaan Programme, ISRO envisages to undertake human spaceflight missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and to lay the foundation of technologies needed for an Indian human space exploration programme in the long run. The vision for space in the Amrit Kaal envisages including other things, creation of an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and Indian Crewed Lunar Mission by 2040.
Human space flight missions provide a strong opportunity to pursue international collaborations. The first Indian to travel to space, Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma undertook his iconic mission in 1984 through such a collaborative effort. The official state visit of Prime Minster Narendra Modi to USA in June, 2023 has led to another defining chapter in Indian space programme, in terms of a collaborative international human space mission. This mission with ISRO’s Gaganyatri marks the visit of first Indian ever to the International Space Station (ISS). During this mission, ISRO’s Gaganyatri will carry out shortlisted Indian microgravity research experiments onboard ISS.
Investigators (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories/ academic institutions for implementation on International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission.
These experiments will utilise available research facilities onboard ISS. Considering the safety driven operational philosophy as well as other mission constraints of human spaceflight missions, these shortlisted microgravity experiments are undergoing stringent evaluations and reviews on ground before launch.
The experience gained through this effort in implementation of these experiments will nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in the country resulting in induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in Indian Space Programme.
