Astronaut Shukla Meets Prime Minister, Presents Space-Traveled Indian Flag and Axiom-4 Patch
In a historic milestone for India's space programme, the Axiom-4 mission successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) in January 2025. The mission, a joint venture between ISRO and Axiom Space, marked India's first participation in commercially crewed spaceflights.
Astrophysicist Shubanshu Shukla, the fourth Indian to venture into space, led the mission alongside three international crew members. The 14-day mission focused on microgravity experiments, including a project for cancer research.
The Axiom-4 patch, designed with elements of India's tricolor and the ISRO logo, was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Shubanshu Shukla during their meeting on August 15, 2025, coinciding with India's Independence Day.
The celebration of Shubanshu Shukla's space mission was met with enthusiasm at ISRO centers across the country. The mission showcased India's increasing capabilities for future missions and highlighted the emerging commercial spaceflight role of the country.
During the meeting, discussions were held regarding India's Gaganyaan ambitions for 2026. The Prime Minister also expressed his aim to increase India's share of the global space economy from 2% to 10% in the next 10 years.
The Axiom-4 mission also demonstrated successful collaboration, as seen in the joint international NISAR satellite mission with NASA. Other partners and cooperation partners discussed during the meeting were not detailed in the available records.
The Indian space economy is estimated to reach $50 billion by 2030, a testament to the growing importance of the sector. ISRO's IN-SPACe initiative offers opportunities for partnership with private firms, further boosting the space industry's growth.
The Axiom-4 mission attracted over 100,000 people on social media, with the #ShuklaInSpace and #Axiom4India hashtags trending. Astrophysicists noted the significance of this mission for equitable access to space, praising India's affordable innovations.
The Axiom-4 mission launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on July 28, 2025. This landmark event underscores India's commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and its ambition to become a major player in the global space economy.
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