India’s first human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, is being fine-tuned using valuable lessons from astronaut Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla’s participation in the recent Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
According to officials, Shukla’s debriefs after returning from space are helping the Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru refine both astronaut training and spacecraft systems. His experience aboard the ISS – ranging from handling scientific experiments to coping with microgravity and emergency drills – has provided ISRO with real-world feedback that no simulator can fully replicate.
Key areas being updated include crew training modules, health monitoring protocols, and onboard operational checklists. Shukla’s inputs are also influencing how ISRO designs workflows for crew-ground communication, mission planning, and safety procedures. Engineers are evaluating subsystems of the spacecraft to make small but meaningful improvements, especially in crew comfort and contingency response.
Despite these modifications, ISRO has confirmed that the first uncrewed test flight, Gaganyaan-1, is still scheduled for December 2025. The updates are being absorbed into the programme without altering major timelines.
Space analysts say drawing from the Ax-4 mission ensures that India’s human spaceflight effort benefits from global best practices. For ISRO, this marks a significant step toward boosting reliability and preparing astronauts for long-duration space missions in the future.
By weaving Shukla’s practical experience into the project, ISRO hopes to strengthen confidence ahead of the first crewed Gaganyaan flight, which will mark India’s entry into the league of nations capable of independent human space travel.
