International Space Station Mission
A crew of four astronauts, including an Indian, concluded a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 15. This mission was seen as a preparation for India's first human spaceflight mission under ISRO's ‘Gaganyaan’ program, expected in 2027.
Mission Details and Objectives
- The mission's explicit goals, arranged by ISRO with a cost exceeding ₹500 crore paid to Axiom Space, have not been officially communicated by Indian authorities.
- Axiom and NASA provided clarifications on the mission’s purpose, which aimed to enhance ISRO’s readiness for human spaceflight.
Training and Skills Acquired
- According to ISRO, astronauts were trained on:
- Advanced spacecraft systems
- Emergency protocols
- Scientific payload operations
- Microgravity adaptation
- Space medicine
- Survival traits
- Docking and undocking
- Manual operations
- Atmospheric reentry
- Anomaly management
Strategic and Financial Aspects
- ISRO highlighted that the Axiom mission was cost-effective compared to ISRO’s independent training expenses.
- The collaboration between NASA, Axiom, and ISRO is seen as a positive outcome, despite strategic limitations of space technologies.
Communication and Public Engagement
- Concerns exist regarding ISRO’s fragmented communication approach.
- There is significant public interest and potential for enhancing India’s soft power through astronaut outreach and public accessibility.
- Facilitating access to astronauts could boost excitement for India’s upcoming human spaceflight ventures.
