Indian Astronaut to Travel to ISS as Part of International Mission

21 Apr 2025 CW Team

India is set to make history next month as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), marking the country's first human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

Announced by Union Minister D. Jitendra Singh following a high-level ISRO review, the mission is part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 initiative and will launch in May 2025. The flight is a significant leap in India’s global space collaboration and human spaceflight capabilities.

Group Captain Shukla, a decorated test pilot and one of the top contenders for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, will gain invaluable experience in space operations, microgravity adaptation, and emergency protocols—skills essential for India’s crewed spaceflight program.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan emphasised the mission's operational significance over symbolism, highlighting its role in enhancing India's integration with global space partners and improving readiness for future indigenous missions.

This landmark flight comes amid a flurry of ISRO missions. Key upcoming launches include:

PSLV-C61 with Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 (May)
TV-D2 Crew Escape Test for Gaganyaan GSLV-F16 carrying
NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite (June)
LVM3-M5 launching BlueBird Block-2 satellites for AST SpaceMobile (July)

India’s recent space milestones also include the public release of Aditya L1 solar mission data, successful Vikas engine restart tests, and ISRO’s 100th launch (GSLV-F15).

Group Captain Shukla’s mission marks India’s bold entry into human space exploration’s new era, underscoring its growing capabilities, global partnerships, and strategic vision to become a leader in space science and technology.

(PIB)

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..