Key Takeaways
- India’s next 5-10 years will be defining for space exploration
- Shubhanshu Shukla is training for Gaganyaan mission (2027)
- He is India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station
- Government planning to open space voyages to people from diverse fields
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has declared that the next five to ten years will be defining for India’s space exploration ambitions, with multiple significant developments expected.
Speaking at Skyroot Aerospace’s facility inauguration in Hyderabad on November 27, Shukla emphasized that India stands among very few nations with both past achievements and ambitious future plans in space.
Democratizing Space Travel
Shukla revealed that space voyages will become more accessible as the government develops frameworks to enable people from diverse professional backgrounds to apply. The selection process is being structured to welcome applicants beyond traditional astronaut profiles.
Global Space Governance
The astronaut stressed the urgent need to re-evaluate international space treaties and laws, noting that current frameworks lack binding authority. He emphasized that activities in outer space ultimately affect every person on Earth.
Historic Space Achievements
Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station aboard the Axiom-4 private mission. The mission launched from Florida on June 25, docked at the ISS on June 26, and concluded with his return to Earth on July 15.
During his space mission, Shukla conducted agricultural experiments for ISRO, successfully growing moong and fenugreek in microgravity. He humorously referred to himself as a “space farmer” following this achievement.
Gaganyaan Mission Training
Shukla is currently among four astronauts undergoing rigorous training for India’s pioneering human spaceflight program, . The Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for launch in 2027, marking a milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
