NASA-Axiom-ISRO Collaboration On Shubhanshu Shukla

A team of four astronauts, including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, wrapped up their approximately two week mission to the International Space Station on July 15. It’s believed that Mr. Shukla’s journey served as a crucial practice run for his upcoming flight as part of India’s inaugural group of astronauts for ISRO’s ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, which is currently anticipated in 2027. This assumption stems from the fact that the objectives of Mr. Shukla’s mission, organized by ISRO at a cost exceeding ₹500 crore to Axiom Space, haven’t been officially disclosed by Indian officials.

Updates from Axiom and NASA have shed more light on its intent. While ISRO and the Department of Space are still expected to actively share what they know about their Gaganyaan activities, especially given the mission’s hefty ₹20,000 crore budget, Mr. Shukla’s journey should bolster ISRO’s preparations.

Human spaceflight is a complex undertaking – once in space, the crew must rely on themselves, and the resources available to handle various situations are limited. According to a statement released by ISRO after the mission launched on June 25, Mr. Shukla and Prasanth Nair – who is also part of Gaganyaan’s first group of astronauts and served as a backup for the Axiom mission were trained in “advanced spacecraft systems, emergency protocols, scientific payload operations, microgravity adaptation, space medicine, and survival skills”.

As the mission pilot, Mr. Shukla received training on docking and undocking, manual operations, atmospheric reentry, and anomaly management, as per Axiom. While aboard the space station, Mr. Shukla engaged with operations in the Japanese and European modules, for which he and Mr. Nair underwent training in Japan and Germany.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has also mentioned that the Axiom mission was less expensive than what ISRO would have had to spend if they had trained Mr. Shukla independently. Overall, the collaboration between NASA, Axiom, and ISRO stands out as a commendable achievement, even as space agencies remain cautious about sharing details.

Concerns that the restrictions set by the U.S.’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations might hinder the duo’s learning can now be put to rest. Instead, new worries about ISRO’s fragmented communication may arise.

Astronauts are inspiring figures who resonate with people of all ages. As India gears up for its inaugural human spaceflight mission, there’s no better way to generate excitement than by making India’s astronauts more accessible. The lack of action is difficult to justify, but it’s not too late to change that.

Both ISRO and India’s soft power initiatives stand to gain significantly by enhancing outreach and improving public access to these space travelers.