Indian universities and research organizations now have the opportunity to participate in a new global consortium launched by Axiom Space, aimed at fostering microgravity science and innovation in low-Earth orbit. The Axiom Space University Alliance is open to academic partners worldwide, including those in India, to collaborate on research, technology development, and commercial applications in space.

A Global Research Ecosystem

Axiom Space, which facilitated Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's journey to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Ax-4 mission, already has an existing partnership with Indian space startup Skyroot Aerospace to enhance access to low-Earth orbit. The Axiom Space University Alliance seeks to create a global research environment that encourages knowledge sharing and the exploration of experiments in various fields, including life sciences and advanced materials, as space activities transition to commercial operations.

The alliance already comprises 15 members from the United States, Europe, and Australia. By expanding participation to other regions, Axiom aims to establish the world's leading academic network focused on space science as government-run space stations transition to commercial operations. For Indian institutions, this provides a pathway into a global research ecosystem expected to shape the next phase of human activity in orbit.

Aligning Global Research Priorities

Axiom Space, the company constructing what it calls the world's first commercial space station, envisions the alliance as a forum to align global research priorities and offer collaboration opportunities between institutions at varying stages of space research. This means that established entities with orbital science experience can share knowledge with newer entrants, including those in India that are beginning to explore microgravity experiments.

Lucie Low, chief science officer at Axiom Space, stated that this initiative aims to protect and expand access to low-Earth orbit for scientific endeavors as governments transition to commercial providers. She emphasized that microgravity research has driven decades of breakthroughs in medicine, materials, and technology, and that by uniting academic and research institutions globally, access to low-Earth orbit for science can be ensured and expanded.

Expanding Cooperation with India

Axiom Space has been strengthening its partnership with India, with CEO Tejpaul Bhatia emphasizing India's increasing prominence in the global space sector and highlighting collaborative opportunities between the U.S., India, NASA, ISRO, and Axiom.

In addition to the University Alliance, Axiom Space and Skyroot Aerospace are exploring opportunities to collaborate on space infrastructure, with Axiom Space considering utilizing Skyroot's capabilities for research payloads and orbital data center nodes. This collaboration aims to serve both Indian and international markets.

India's Growing Space Prowess

India's space program has been gaining momentum, marked by missions to the moon and goals for future space stations and solar missions. The участи Space University Alliance and partnerships with companies like Skyroot Aerospace, alongside ISRO's ongoing research and experiments in microgravity, demonstrate India's commitment to advancing space science and technology and its growing role in the global space community. These initiatives are expected to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists and engineers and pave the way for a future where humanity can thrive beyond Earth.