India returns to orbital human spaceflight after four decades. Pride is justified, but so is public scrutiny.
When Shubhanshu Shukla floated into the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26, 2025, millions of Indians watched history unfold. It was a moment of national pride — the first Indian aboard the ISS, the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984, and a powerful visual of India’s re-entry into human spaceflight.
But as we celebrate this landmark, it's important to pause and ask: What does this moment really mean for India’s space program? What comes next? And was the ₹548 crore spent on this mission a wise move?
A Proud Step… But Not the Final One
There is no doubt that Shukla’s mission marks an emotional and strategic breakthrough. For the first time, an Indian astronaut is participating in real-time space operations aboard the most advanced orbital laboratory ever built. It’s not just symbolism — it’s practical.
He is conducting scientific experiments, handling complex ISS systems, and representing India in a multinational space environment. His presence on the ISS gives India first-hand exposure to human spaceflight protocols, data collection in microgravity, and life-support coordination — all of which will feed directly into the Gaganyaan mission, slated for launch in 2027.
This is India’s dress rehearsal, and it comes not a moment too soon.
The Real Cost of ₹548 Crore
But pride must be paired with accountability.
The Department of Space has not yet shared a clear breakdown of the ₹548 crore spent to secure this mission seat through Axiom Space — a private U.S. company contracted by NASA and operating commercial flights aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
We are told this includes training, logistics, backup astronaut support, and experiment integration. But in a democracy, “trust us” isn’t policy. Especially not when the mission is publicly funded and carried out amid wider demands on India’s science and technology budget.
The cost must be evaluated not just in rupees, but in returns. Will this help Indian astronauts avoid the costly mistakes that come with a first-time national mission? Will it accelerate Gaganyaan timelines? Will it spark public-private synergy in India’s still-nascent commercial space sector?
Those are the questions that still hang in orbit.
The Gaganyaan Challenge Ahead
Make no mistake: Gaganyaan is where India’s real space test lies. That mission will rely on homegrown launch vehicles, capsules, and training infrastructure. If it succeeds, India will become only the fourth nation in history to independently send humans to space — after Russia, the U.S., and China.
But the mission also demands extreme precision, mission assurance, and real-time crisis preparedness. In that sense, Shukla’s Ax-4 flight is invaluable. It allows ISRO and the Indian human spaceflight program to test assumptions, collect insights, and learn from partners like NASA and Axiom.
Still, the leap from observer to operator is enormous. Borrowed hardware and foreign training cannot replace domestic capability. Gaganyaan’s success depends on how well India uses the lessons of this moment to build a spaceflight ecosystem that’s sovereign, reliable, and scalable.
A Bigger Role for the Private Sector?
One quiet development amid all this has been the growing role of private space companies — not just in the U.S., but in India. Startups like Skyroot Aerospace and AgniKul Cosmos are developing small launch systems. But participation in human spaceflight? That’s still out of reach.
This is where ISRO and the Indian government must do more. Opening up astronaut training, capsule design, and experiment hosting to Indian private players — with support, not red tape — is how we go from being a space nation to a space economy.
Shukla’s mission shows the potential of public-private partnership. But in India, we still treat private players like junior consultants, not core stakeholders.
Public Expectation Has Changed — So Must ISRO’s Communication
There is one more change that Shukla’s mission brings — the public’s demand for transparency.
Gone are the days when space agencies could operate behind closed doors. Today’s citizens want to know:
- What is the cost-benefit of missions like this?
- Who is accountable if timelines slip or budgets rise?
- How is space science improving life on Earth — not just prestige in orbit?
So far, ISRO has been silent on many of these points. That must change. If the Indian public is expected to fund bold space ventures, they also deserve regular, clear, and honest updates.
Final Thoughts: From Symbol to Strategy
Shubhanshu Shukla’s spaceflight is not the end goal — it is the beginning of a longer journey. India’s return to human spaceflight is no longer a dream; it is a mission in motion. And as we cheer the success of this first step, we must also raise the standard for what comes next.
A country of 1.4 billion, with a space legacy spanning decades, can — and must — aim higher than symbolic victories. The real challenge is building a self-reliant, globally competitive, and commercially strong human space program that serves science, the economy, and society.
We’ve launched a man to the ISS. Now let’s launch a national vision that goes even farther.