<p class="bodytext">Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s entry to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission signals a new phase in India’s space programme which has traditionally focussed on economic growth. Hamstrung by a paucity of funds, the leaders of yesteryears utilised the resources to solve the “real problems” of man and society rather than explore the outer world. The tradition was broken in the last two decades with the Astrosat, Chandrayaan-1, and Mars Orbiter missions. Notwithstanding the failure of Chandrayaan-2, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) held on and scripted history four years later, with Chandrayaan-3 – the world’s first spacecraft to land near the lunar south pole. It was a rare moment when the entire country watched a scientific event with bated breath. The nation erupted with joy as Vikram, the lander, descended and touched down on the moon’s surface.</p>.Axiom-04 | From mango nectar to halwa: Here is all you need to know about Shukla's taste buds in space .<p class="bodytext">Buoyed by the success, the Centre approved deep space missions for the Sun and Venus while putting in place a human spaceflight programme that will culminate in 2040 when an Indian will stand on the Moon. The first few steps begin with Group Captain Shukla’s space flight, exposing him to the microgravity environment for 14 days. Next in line is the Gaganyaan mission – the maiden flight is expected in 2027 – followed by the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, the first module of which is scheduled to be launched in 2028. Unlike Rakesh Sharma’s trip to space four decades ago, India is now ready with an elaborate programme where the experience gained by Shukla and his backup Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will come in handy. The Gaganyaatris will show the world that New Delhi is serious about building an astronaut corps.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India currently holds only 2% of the global space market, pegging at $8.4 billion, but has set a $44 billion target by 2033. The sector has been opened to private companies and an understanding has been worked out on what these private firms will do and what will be the new focus areas for ISRO, which will also handhold the newcomers. The need is to have bright young minds as scientists, engineers, astronauts, and entrepreneurs. While ISRO takes pride in claiming that its engineering force consists of largely non-IITians, it is time for the space agency to introspect why the brightest minds skip the space programme, unlike in the 1960s and 1970s. New measures are required to provide attractive career options in the space sector, and communication can be a key to igniting the minds of young aspirants. This is an absolute essential if India wants to fly high in space.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s entry to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission signals a new phase in India’s space programme which has traditionally focussed on economic growth. Hamstrung by a paucity of funds, the leaders of yesteryears utilised the resources to solve the “real problems” of man and society rather than explore the outer world. The tradition was broken in the last two decades with the Astrosat, Chandrayaan-1, and Mars Orbiter missions. Notwithstanding the failure of Chandrayaan-2, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) held on and scripted history four years later, with Chandrayaan-3 – the world’s first spacecraft to land near the lunar south pole. It was a rare moment when the entire country watched a scientific event with bated breath. The nation erupted with joy as Vikram, the lander, descended and touched down on the moon’s surface.</p>.Axiom-04 | From mango nectar to halwa: Here is all you need to know about Shukla's taste buds in space .<p class="bodytext">Buoyed by the success, the Centre approved deep space missions for the Sun and Venus while putting in place a human spaceflight programme that will culminate in 2040 when an Indian will stand on the Moon. The first few steps begin with Group Captain Shukla’s space flight, exposing him to the microgravity environment for 14 days. Next in line is the Gaganyaan mission – the maiden flight is expected in 2027 – followed by the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, the first module of which is scheduled to be launched in 2028. Unlike Rakesh Sharma’s trip to space four decades ago, India is now ready with an elaborate programme where the experience gained by Shukla and his backup Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will come in handy. The Gaganyaatris will show the world that New Delhi is serious about building an astronaut corps.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India currently holds only 2% of the global space market, pegging at $8.4 billion, but has set a $44 billion target by 2033. The sector has been opened to private companies and an understanding has been worked out on what these private firms will do and what will be the new focus areas for ISRO, which will also handhold the newcomers. The need is to have bright young minds as scientists, engineers, astronauts, and entrepreneurs. While ISRO takes pride in claiming that its engineering force consists of largely non-IITians, it is time for the space agency to introspect why the brightest minds skip the space programme, unlike in the 1960s and 1970s. New measures are required to provide attractive career options in the space sector, and communication can be a key to igniting the minds of young aspirants. This is an absolute essential if India wants to fly high in space.</p>
