India’s Human Spaceflight Mileston

 Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom Mission 4 – A Leap toward Gaganyaan | CLAT Current Affairs 2026

GK & Current Affairs for CLAT | CLAT Current Affairs 2026

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 Why in News?

India marked a historic achievement in human space exploration when Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to live and work aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This was part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—a collaborative effort between NASA, Axiom Space, ISRO, and others.

This development holds immense importance for India’s Gaganyaan project, future collaborations in space diplomacy, and for legal questions related to space law, international cooperation, and scientific research rights—making it highly relevant for CLAT 2026 aspirants.

 Introduction

India’s journey into human spaceflight has entered a decisive phase. On July 15, 2025, Axiom Mission 4 returned to Earth, concluding a crucial chapter in India’s space ambitions. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a trained astronaut and Indian Air Force officer, not only lived on the ISS but also conducted 60 microgravity experiments in space, a first for an Indian astronaut.

The mission holds value beyond symbolism. It provided insights into the biological, chemical, and behavioral effects of microgravity, and also gave India the much-needed human spaceflight experience required for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission in 2027.

From a legal and strategic perspective, the mission also represents India’s increasing role in international space cooperation and the evolution of global space law regimes.

 Point-wise Summary

 1. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4): Overview

• Launched on June 25, 2025, with astronauts from India, US, Hungary, and Poland.
• Returned to Earth on July 15, 2025.
• The mission was a symbolic return to space for these countries after decades.

 2. India’s Historic Milestone

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became:
  • The first Indian astronaut to live and work aboard the ISS.
  • The second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
• Accompanied by Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair—both trained for Gaganyaan.

🔹 3. Importance for Indian Space Program

• The mission:
  • Served as a launchpad for Gaganyaan.
  • Provided live human spaceflight experience.
  • Strengthened India’s international space partnerships.

 4. Microgravity Research Conducted

• Over 60 experiments conducted aboard the ISS:
  • Studied effects on crop yield (moong, fenugreek).
  • Observed tardigrades, microorganisms that survive extreme environments.
  • Analyzed muscle atrophy, metabolism, and eye movement in astronauts.
  • Investigated human cognitive performance in space.

 5. Educational and Outreach Initiatives

• Shukla connected with students in India during live sessions from space.
• Samples were sent back to Lucknow for further analysis by Indian scientists.
• Outreach aimed to popularize science education and promote STEM careers.

 6. Microgravity and Its Impact

• Microgravity is not complete absence of gravity but free-fall conditions.
• Simulates conditions where matter behaves differently—used to:
  • Study plant germination and fluid dynamics.
  • Examine human cell growth, gene expression, and tissue formation.

🔹 7. Strategic and Global Collaboration

• The mission was an outcome of collaboration between:
  • NASA
  • Axiom Space
  • European Space Agency (ESA)
  • ISRO
• Boosted India’s image in international space cooperation.

 8. Gaganyaan Mission: India’s Next Step

• Scheduled for 2027 with a planned crew of 3 astronauts.
• India to launch humans to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (~400 km).
• A new Indian space station—Bharatiya Antariksh Station—is planned for 2035.

 9. Relevance to Law and CLAT

• Raises legal and regulatory questions around:
  • Ownership of space data.
  • International agreements in outer space.
  • Space liability in case of accidents aboard ISS or Indian missions.
• Relevant laws:
  • Outer Space Treaty, 1967
  • Indian Space Policy 2023
  • Draft Space Activities Bill, India

 10. Inspirational Impact

• The mission symbolizes:
  • India’s arrival on the global human spaceflight stage.
  • The potential for Indian youth to aspire toward space science.
• Encourages multidisciplinary learning, combining science, international relations, and law.

 Notes: Explanation of Peculiar Terms

 Relevance for CLAT 2026 Aspirants

 Legal Reasoning

• Questions may involve:
  • Space law treaties and India’s obligations.
  • Ownership of scientific data in shared missions.
  • Liability under international law for astronaut safety.

 Current Affairs

• CLAT 2026 may ask:
  • India’s achievements in space.
  • Differences between missions like Gaganyaan and Ax-4.
  • The role of ISRO in global partnerships.

 Science & Tech Legal GK

• Understand:
  • ISRO’s role in diplomacy.
  • Private vs public actors in space missions.
  • Rights and responsibilities under space treaties.

 Conclusion

India’s successful participation in Axiom Mission 4, through Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is not only a scientific milestone but also a geostrategic achievement. It sets the tone for Gaganyaan, space-based diplomacy, and legal frameworks that govern space exploration.

CLAT 2026 aspirants must view this mission through a multidisciplinary lens: combining legal, scientific, and international cooperation insights to prepare for passage-based and current affairs questions.

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