Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is more than just a personal milestone; it's a crucial step forward for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission. As one of the four astronauts selected for ISRO's human spaceflight program, Shukla's 14-day science expedition provides invaluable operational experience and lays the groundwork for India's long-term vision of a sustained presence in space.

The Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send three Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit (LEO) for a three-day mission, has faced delays and is now targeted for the first quarter of 2027. ISRO plans to launch uncrewed missions this year and in 2026, one of which will feature the humanoid robot Vyommitra. The mission's initial proposal was for 2022, but it was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, astronaut training, and the development of new technologies.

Shukla's role as mission pilot on Ax-4 involves steering seven Indian science studies designed by academics and scientists from across the country. These experiments are critical for understanding the physiological and psychological challenges astronauts face during extended missions.

One key area of focus is space nutrition. Shukla will oversee seed studies investigating how microgravity affects germination, which has direct implications for crew nutrition and the development of India-specific food systems for Gaganyaan. He will cultivate methi and moong dal in microgravity, contributing to research on cultivating food in space. He also plans to expose seeds to the macrobiotic conditions of space and bring them back to Earth to be cultivated over generations. These experiments, developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with support from NASA, aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel.

Other experiments Shukla will conduct include examining the survival mechanisms of tardigrades (water bears), muscle regeneration, and cognitive performance using electronic displays in space. The Myogenesis experiment, for example, seeks to understand why muscle degradation occurs in space and test potential therapies.

ISRO is spending ₹550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission. India's participation in Ax-4 provides invaluable operational experience for the Gaganyaan program. The mission allows ISRO to gain insights into the complexities of spaceflight, including launch procedures, docking with the ISS, conducting experiments in microgravity, and ensuring the safe return of the crew. The data collected will inform the design and development of Gaganyaan's systems and protocols.

Shukla's journey also serves as an inspiration for Indian students. Through four STEMonstration modules, real-time science activities will be shared with schoolchildren, aiming to educate them about life and research aboard the ISS.

The Gaganyaan mission is a significant undertaking for India, requiring the development of critical technologies such as a human-rated launch vehicle, a life support system, and crew emergency escape provisions. ISRO's heavy-lift launcher, LVM3, has been reconfigured to meet human rating requirements and will launch the orbital module into a low Earth orbit of 400 km. The crew module (CM), designed to house three astronauts, will provide an Earth-like environment in space and ensure their safe return.

Shukla's flight on Axiom-4 marks a "return" to human spaceflight for India. He is the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984. Shukla's experience on the ISS will be invaluable for the Gaganyaan mission, which is planned for 2027.