Shubhanshu Shukla’s Space Mission Reinforces India’s Vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047: Cabinet

New Delhi – The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution celebrating IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful space mission, stating that his historic journey has renewed the nation's determination to build a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.

Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26, and returned safely to Earth on Tuesday. His mission was part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, alongside astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary, aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft “Grace”.

In a statement, the Cabinet said, “The Cabinet joins the nation in celebrating the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Earth, following the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the ISS.”

It added, “This mission will ignite scientific curiosity, foster innovation, and inspire a new generation to pursue careers in science and technology. It will strengthen our collective resolve to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.”

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet lauded Shukla’s journey as a milestone for India’s space ambitions and a source of national pride. “This marks a new era in India’s space programme and offers a glimpse into a promising future,” it noted.

Shukla, also the youngest astronaut-designate under India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, conducted a series of groundbreaking experiments in microgravity aboard the ISS. His research covered areas like muscle regeneration, microbial and algal growth, crop viability, cognitive performance in space, and cyanobacteria behavior.

“These pioneering studies will advance global knowledge of microgravity science and provide essential data for India’s future space missions,” the statement added.

The Cabinet emphasised that Shukla’s mission has significantly elevated India’s status in global space exploration and laid the groundwork for key future initiatives, including Gaganyaan and the planned Bharatiya Antariksha Station.

The Cabinet also applauded the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and India’s scientific community for their contribution to the mission’s success. It highlighted India’s growing leadership in international space cooperation, citing Shukla’s collaboration with the Axiom-4 crew and Expedition 73 on the ISS.

Recent milestones such as the historic Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing near the lunar South Pole in August 2023, and the Aditya-L1 solar mission were also acknowledged. The Cabinet credited government-led reforms for unlocking significant growth in India’s space economy.

“The emergence of nearly 300 start-ups in the space sector has spurred large-scale job creation and fostered a thriving ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological development,” the statement concluded.

With inputs from IANS