‘Realising the Return’- How an Indian Became Part of Axiom-4

 ‘Realising the Return’- How an Indian Became Part of Axiom-4

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 Why in News

On June 9, 2025, a detailed feature in The Indian Express highlighted the strategic Indo-US partnership that led to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s inclusion in the Axiom-4 Mission. The mission to the International Space Station (ISS) marks India’s renewed presence in global human spaceflight, following the historic flight of Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

This mission was enabled by a 2023 agreement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States, where India and the US committed to closer space cooperation. The astronaut training, selection, and eventual launch were facilitated under this pact, which also signaled India’s intent to actively participate in global space governance and commercial space exploration.

 Introduction: Bridging the Space Gap with Axiom-4

India’s journey in human spaceflight took a transformative leap in 2024 when Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became part of the private Axiom-4 space mission. The move was not just a technical achievement—it was a product of years of diplomatic, scientific, and commercial collaboration between ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

For CLAT 2026 aspirants, this episode offers a live example of:

• Strategic diplomacy
• Public-private partnerships
• Emerging space law and international cooperation
• Scientific diplomacy as a tool of soft power

 Point-wise Summary for CLAT and UPSC Aspirants

1. Strategic Partnership: The Modi-Biden 2023 Agreement

• During PM Modi’s June 2023 state visit to Washington, India and the US announced a joint mission for human spaceflight cooperation.
• It was confirmed that ISRO and NASA would collaborate to send an Indian astronaut to space by 2024.
• This was the first such Indo-US crewed mission agreement.

2. Background to the Agreement

• The announcement wasn’t sudden; it followed years of Indo-US discussions.
• Previous collaborations included:
  • The NISAR satellite mission (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)
  • Joint development of space technology and training modules

3. Why Shubhanshu Shukla?

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a veteran IAF pilot with 2000+ hours of flight time, was selected for the mission.
• His selection marked a return to space for India after a 40-year gap since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Soviet-led mission.
• He is the first Indian astronaut to go to space via an American launch platform.

4. Symbolic and Practical Importance

• The initiative is named ‘Realising the Return’, referring to:
  • A return of India to human space missions.
  • The return on years of bilateral investment in space diplomacy.
• India gains access to training modules, ISS experiment data, and cutting-edge aerospace exposure.

5. About Axiom Space’s Role

• Axiom Space, a US-based private space company, selected Indian participation in Axiom-4, a commercial spaceflight to the ISS.
• Axiom’s mission differs from earlier government missions:
  • It involves private astronauts
  • Sponsored by both governments and private entities
  • Focused on scientific, commercial, and experimental objectives

6. Shukla’s Role in the Axiom-4 Mission

• Participated in over 60 experiments aboard the ISS, including:
  • Microgravity impact on human cells
  • Crop growth in space
  • Immune system degeneration
  • Muscle loss and regeneration
• Helped engage with students and researchers across the globe.

7. Global and Domestic Impact

• Places India among elite spacefaring nations actively contributing to ISS missions.
• Enhances India’s reputation in the emerging global commercial space sector.
• Strengthens ISRO’s own Gaganyaan mission preparations, currently scheduled post-2025.

8. Benefits to ISRO and Gaganyaan

• Provides real-time mission insights.
• Accelerates India’s astronaut training protocols.
• Prepares India for full-scale crewed missions with indigenous spacecraft.
• Transfers soft infrastructure like crew operations, nutrition, medical support, and zero-gravity adaptation.

 Legal and Policy Framework

1. Legal Framework of Space Cooperation

• The mission reflects the principles of the Artemis Accords—a set of international rules for responsible space exploration.
• While India hasn’t signed the Artemis Accords officially, it aligns with its core principles through collaboration.

1. India’s Domestic Space Law Progress

• India is finalizing its Space Activities Bill, which will regulate:
  • Licensing of private space operators
  • Commercial use of outer space
  • Liability for damages during missions
• The bill aims to bring India’s space law in line with international standards, essential as more private entities like Axiom collaborate with ISRO.

 Constitutional and Governance Relevance

1. Scientific Temper & Article 51A(h)

• Promotes the fundamental duty to develop scientific temper, humanism, and spirit of inquiry.
• Missions like this inspire youth involvement in science and innovation.

2. Soft Power and Article 51(d)

• Encourages international peace and cooperation, aligning with India’s diplomatic efforts in peaceful space use.

 Explanation of Peculiar Terms

• Artemis Accords: A US-led set of principles to guide space exploration, encouraging transparency, peaceful use, and data sharing.
• NISAR: NASA-ISRO SAR satellite to monitor natural hazards and climate change.
• Axiom Space: A commercial space company working with NASA to send private and government-sponsored astronauts to space.
• ISS (International Space Station): A multinational research laboratory in low-Earth orbit.

 Timeline: From Talks to Launch

 Relevance for CLAT 2026 & UPSC

This topic sits at the crossroads of:

• International Relations – Indo-US space diplomacy
• Law and Technology – Evolution of space law, global norms
• Governance and Innovation – Regulatory frameworks for space commercialization
• Ethics and Science Policy – Balancing national interest with peaceful use of space

 Conclusion

India’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission marks a strategic comeback to human spaceflight after 40 years. It is not merely symbolic—it brings technological, diplomatic, and educational gains. As India heads toward its first fully indigenous mission with Gaganyaan, lessons from Axiom-4 will prove critical.

For CLAT 2026 aspirants, this is a high-value topic that combines space governance, international cooperation, constitutional duties, and scientific progress, making it ideal for essays, MCQs, and critical reasoning cases.