India, A Spacefaring Nation in the Making

India’s story is not to mimic the Cold War space race or impress the skies, but to integrate space into everyday life.

The immortal line ‘saare jahaan se achcha’ took on celestial significance when Rakesh Sharma, orbiting Earth aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984, recited it in response to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s now-legendary query: “How does India look from space?” That moment not only etched itself into the national imagination but also marked the beginning of India’s manned space odyssey. Four decades later, as Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian to travel into space, this time to the International Space Station (ISS), the emotional resonance is unmistakable. But more than that, it signals a renewed momentum and reflects a nation still in the process of becoming truly spacefaring.

Shukla’s journey comes at a transformative juncture in India’s space programme. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is no longer confined to launch services or modest interplanetary forays. It is steadily expanding into new frontiers, preparing for human spaceflight through Gaganyaan, advancing lunar and solar missions, exploring quantum communication, and developing reusable launch systems. These efforts represent the qualities not only of an accomplished space agency but also of a nation gradually moving toward full-fledged space capability.

This new chapter stirred in me memories of reading A Spacefaring People, Perspectives on Early Spaceflight, edited by Alex Roland and published by NASA in 1985. I recall reading the book with great excitement when it first appeared, captivated by how the early decades of American and Soviet space efforts were not just feats of engineering but profound expressions of scientific ambition, managerial vision, and international strategy. As Shukla embarks on his mission, those formative stories feel freshly relevant.

Roland’s collection reminded us that spaceflight has always been more than just rockets. It is about cultures of innovation, long-term investment, and a willingness to ask questions that begin with “what if.” The early American space programme, for example, was as much about developing weather and communications satellites as it was about lunar landings. It showed how technology, when aligned with clear purpose and public support, could catalyse new industries and transform nations.

India too now stands at that threshold. From Chandrayaan’s pinpoint lunar landing to the Mars Orbiter Mission’s budget-friendly success, India has shown the world its knack for precision and frugality. But human spaceflight is a far more complex frontier, demanding life support systems, escape mechanisms, orbital docking and rigorous astronaut training.

ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, backed by Rs. 10,000 crore, aims to send two-three astronauts into low Earth orbit for up to seven days aboard the HLVM3 launcher and an indigenous crew module. Beyond the engineering feat, it reflects years of quiet progress in materials, avionics and environmental systems.

As history shows, investment in space technologies pays rich dividends. GPS, remote sensing, weather prediction, precision agriculture, and even medical imaging have roots in space programmes. In India’s case, space technology already supports more than 60 civil applications, including flood forecasting, crop mapping, broadband connectivity, and disaster early warning. For every rupee spent on ISRO, independent assessments suggest a return of over three rupees in economic and societal value.

What sets this moment apart is not just the science but the symbolism. A second Indian in space reminds us that this is no longer an isolated event. It is the beginning of continuity. That this journey is taking Shukla to the International Space Station, a hub of scientific cooperation involving the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, and now India, adds a new layer of meaning. It reflects India’s growing integration into the global community of spacefaring nations engaged in long-duration, orbital science.

India’s approach carries added significance in the evolving global context. The very definition of space power is shifting. It is no longer centered on Cold War-era prestige or loud demonstrations of might. Today’s spacefaring nations are those that embed space into national priorities, supporting livelihoods, education, security, disaster resilience, and climate monitoring. India’s ability to apply space science toward societal development gives it a distinctive model that is pragmatic, inclusive and scalable.

Unlike the space programmes of the past, which were often framed as geopolitical theatre, India’s journey remains rooted in service, sustainability, and inclusion. There is little appetite for spectacle. Instead, the focus is on strengthening national capability, supporting developmental goals, and offering responsible global partnerships. That India has done so while remaining cost-effective, peaceful, and technologically self-reliant is even more noteworthy.

This transition from aspiration to institution-building is critical. A spacefaring nation is not created by a single mission or a single astronaut. It is built through the patient layering of infrastructure, human resource development, cross-sector partnerships, and a culture that values exploration. India is beginning to meet each of these requirements. Its space ecosystem now includes vibrant startups, satellite builders, ground station operators, university-led payloads, and even space law experts. This broad-based momentum bodes well for the future.

We are not there yet, but we are on our way. Shukla’s flight is part of a longer arc that began with quiet resolve, took shape through institutional rigor, and is now reaching toward the stars with growing confidence. That he will work aboard the ISS reflects not only individual achievement but a national coming-of-age moment, one in which Indians are no longer observers of the space age but contributors to its future. India, slowly but surely, is becoming a spacefaring nation.

(The author is the former Director, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, and Visiting Professor, IIT Bombay. Views personal)