Gaganyaan preparations advance as ISRO plans multiple launches this summer
India is set to take a major leap in its space journey next month with the scheduled launch of an international mission that will include an Indian astronaut aboard. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh confirmed the update following a high-level review of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) upcoming plans.
This mission will mark the first time an Indian has travelled to space in over 40 years, and the very first visit by an Indian to the International Space Station (ISS). The last Indian in space was Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to fly aboard Ax-4 mission
Dr V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space, provided detailed updates during the review. He announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will travel to the ISS in May 2025 as part of the Ax-4 mission organised by Axiom Space.
Group Captain Shukla is a highly respected test pilot and a leading candidate for the Gaganyaan mission. His participation in the Ax-4 mission is expected to provide vital experience in spaceflight operations. It will include training in microgravity, emergency procedures, and launch systems — all essential skills for future human missions by India.
Strategic move signals India’s global ambitions in space
Unlike previous missions that held symbolic value, this journey focuses on preparing for more complex, operational challenges. The upcoming flight highlights India’s growing role in international space partnerships and its commitment to building a strong human spaceflight programme.
Dr Jitendra Singh stated that India is ready for its next major milestone. He emphasised that this mission is part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in space technology. The Gaganyaan project, along with other strategic collaborations, reflects this ambition.
Busy months ahead for ISRO with key missions planned
ISRO also shared significant updates on other achievements and plans. Since January 2025, the agency has:
Released data from the Aditya L1 solar mission
Successfully tested docking technologies
Demonstrated India’s highest thrust liquid engine
Completed its 100th launch (GSLV-F15) from Sriharikota
Supported major national events such as the Kumbh Mela 2025 using satellite monitoring
Looking ahead, several major missions are lined up between May and July. These include:
PSLV-C61: Launch of the EOS-09 satellite equipped with synthetic aperture radar for high-resolution imaging in all weather.
Test Vehicle-D2: A critical trial for Gaganyaan’s Crew Escape System, including sea recovery operations.
GSLV-F16 with NISAR: A joint NASA-ISRO satellite to monitor Earth’s environment using dual-frequency radar.
LVM3-M5: Launch of BlueBird Block-2 satellites for AST SpaceMobile Inc., under a commercial programme.
Group Captain Shukla’s upcoming mission stands as a strong symbol of India’s progress in human spaceflight. It reflects a bold, strategic step towards becoming a key player in global space exploration.