🚀 Shubhanshu Shukla & India’s Space Leap: Leading the Global STEAM Revolution

Uttam Sharma
Jun 7
3 min read

🌠 A New Chapter in India's Space Odyssey

India's space journey has evolved remarkably, from launching satellites to now preparing for human spaceflight missions. The upcoming participation of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) signifies India's growing prominence in international space collaborations. This mission not only showcases India's technical prowess but also underscores its readiness to lead in the global STEAM landscape. Lets explore bits about Gaganyaan mission of India as well to build a sense of Indias growing landscape in Scape sector.

🛰️ Gaganyaan Mission: India’s Giant Leap

The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s flagship effort to place humans in space using indigenous technology. Here are the key highlights:

Gaganyaan Mission Key Pointers:

Budget: ₹20,193 crore (~$2.32 billion) as of 2024
Objective: Launch 3 Indian astronauts into Low Earth Orbit (~400 km altitude) for 3 days
Timeline: Crewed launch expected by 2025
Technology:
- Human-rated GSLV Mk III (LVM3) launch vehicle
- Life support systems, crew escape system, re-entry module
- Extensive collaboration with DRDO, HAL, and private industries
Training: Astronauts trained in India and Russia
Uncrewed Missions: 2–3 test flights before human launch (including a test with humanoid robot “Vyommitra”)
Long-Term Vision:
- Indian Space Station by 2035
- Moon mission with crew by 2040

These investments position India as a serious contender in global space leadership—not just as a low-cost innovator, but as a visionary science and technology powerhouse.

🚀 Mission Budgets: A Comparative Overview

India's space missions are renowned for their cost-effectiveness without compromising on quality. Here's a comparative look at the budgets of key missions:

Mission	Cost (INR)	Cost (USD)	Purpose
Axiom-4 (2025)	₹532 crore by India	$64 million By India	Indian astronaut aboard ISS (with global crew)
Chandrayaan-3 (2023)	₹600 crore	$75 million	Lunar soft landing
Gaganyaan (2025)	₹20,193 crore	~$2.32 billion	India's first crewed orbital mission

Sources: New Indian Express, PIB, Economic Times

🌍 Axiom-4: A Testament to International Collaboration

Shubhanshu Shukla’s team includes:

Peggy Whitson (USA) – NASA veteran and four-time space traveler
Sławosz Uznański (Poland) – ESA-supported astronaut and electrical engineer
Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Engineer representing Hungary’s space program
Shukla (India) – First Indian on ISS in a private international crew

The mission will last 14 days, encompassing scientific experiments, Earth observation, and symbolic gestures like carrying a plush toy "Joy" as a zero-G indicator.

🔍 India's R&D and STEAM Readiness: The Data

India's R&D ecosystem has been cost-effective yet impactful:

India's R&D spend: ~0.64% of GDP
USA: ~3.5% of GDP
China: ~2.4% of GDP
South Korea: ~4.8% of GDP

Despite lower R&D expenditure, India's mission outcomes are world-class, thanks to a robust STEAM-powered talent pool.

🎓 However, there's a need to integrate Arts, Ethics, Communication, and Design into STEM programs to foster holistic innovation.

🧠 Embracing STEAM: The Way Forward

STEAM = Science + Technology + Engineering + Arts + Mathematics

Incorporating Arts into STEM fosters:

Creative problem-solving
Empathy and ethics in innovation
Global communication skills
Cross-disciplinary design (e.g., space habitats, UX, AI-human interfaces)

India's Talent Pipeline is Ready

Produces 1.5 million engineers annually
Over 5,000 PhDs in science every year
Ranks among the top 3 in satellite launches per year
Hosts over 100 Indian startups in space-tech (e.g., Skyroot, Pixxel)

🚀 Shukla’s mission exemplifies that India's space and R&D future depends not just on engineers, but on innovators, storytellers, and designers.

💬 The Significance of This Moment

🔭 “This isn’t just India reaching space; it’s space acknowledging India.”

Group Captain Shukla’s inclusion in Axiom-4 is part of a larger narrative:

India’s Gaganyaan mission is on the horizon
ISRO-NASA collaborations are expanding
Private players like Agnikul and Skyroot are making independent launches

Now is the opportune time to reimagine education, R&D, and policy to align with global innovation demands.

✅ Conclusion: From STEM to STEAM — India's Leadership Moment

India has demonstrated that innovation isn't solely about substantial spending—it's about visionary thinking. Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey is not just a personal triumph; it's a clarion call:

To educational institutions: Integrate creativity with technical education
To policymakers: Invest in design, humanities, and innovation centers
To the youth: Aspire not just to reach space—design it, narrate it, and build it