India’s Scientific Dreams for Space Exploration

Space has always been a centre of curiosity and wonder for humankind. The shining sun during the day and the moon and millions of twinkling stars in the night sky have filled us with awe. In our childhood, we all heard stories about the moon and stars from our grandmoth­ers. While listening to and pondering on these stories, the human mind has always harboured the imagination and desire to travel through space, to jour­ney far from Earth to the moon, stars, and other planets, and observe them up close. Modern science and technology have greatly helped in fulfilling this age-old human desire. The journey of space exploration began in 1957 with the So­viet Union’s artificial satellite Sputnik 1, a milestone that led to another in 1961 when the first human, Yuri Gagarin, set the record for reaching space. The next significant global milestone came in 1969 when the US space mission Apollo 11 reached space and Neil Armstrong landed on the surface of the moon. This single step by a man on the moon was, in fact, a giant leap for mankind in the realm of science. Following this, initia­tives such as the establishment of the International Space Station, powerful telescopes like Hubble, and robotic ex­plorers like Voyager and the Mars Rover have proven to be remarkable steps in the direction of space exploration.

MAJOR MILESTONES IN INDIAN SPACE EXPLORATION

India has also not lagged behind in space exploration. Under the guidance of the visionary scientist Dr Vikram Sarabhai, India formed the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, which later evolved into the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 15 August 1969. ISRO’s pri­mary objective is to conduct space explo­ration and research for communication, broadcasting, and resource management to support the country’s progress. In 1972, the Department of Space (DOS) was formed, and ISRO was made an in­tegral part of it. ISRO has given a robust structure to India’s space programme and has many historical achievements to its credit. These achievements include the development of the first Indian sat­ellite, Aryabhata, in 1975, which was successfully launched into space using a Soviet rocket. In 1975-76, the Satel­lite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was launched, which initiated satellite-based television broadcasting in India. In the 1980s and 1990s, ISRO developed indigenous satellite launch vehicles, the Polar Satellite Launch Ve­hicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). And who can forget the successful launches of India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission (Man­galyaan)! Now, India is preparing for its human space mission, Gaganyaan.

Gaganyaan is a highly ambitious In­dian space mission being implemented by ISRO under the leadership and inspi­ration of the current central government which is targeted for launch in 2027. Four Indian Air Force officers (Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Com­mander Shubhanshu Shukla) have been selected as Gaganyaan astronauts (Ga­ganyatris) and are undergoing rigorous training for space travel before the Ga­ganyaan mission launch. Shubhanshu Shukla was given the opportunity to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) during 26 June to 15 July 2025, be­coming the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. The first Indian space traveller ever was Rakesh Sharma, who traveled to space on 3 April 1984, aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft (a joint ISRO-Soviet space mission).

India’s space ambitions continue to expand, and ISRO’s future goals reflect a strategic vision for scientific leader­ship, national development and global collaboration. Key priorities include the successful execution of the Gaga­nyaan human spaceflight mission and development of a sustained human space programme, including space stations. ISRO aims to deepen planetary explora­tion through upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars and Venus, along with ad­vanced solar studies. Strengthening sat­ellite constellations for communication, navigation and Earth observation will support climate resilience, agriculture, disaster management and governance. ISRO is also working on reusable launch vehicles, heavy-lift capabilities and next-generation propulsion to reduce mission cost. Increasing private sector participa­tion through space-tech start-ups and promoting international partnerships remain core goals to build a robust space ecosystem for a self-reliant and globally competitive India.

CSIR-ISRO SPACE MEET FOCUSED ON INDIA’S HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT MISSION

Topics related to space exploration are discussed within the intellectual and scientific fraternity, but the general public often remains unaware of these discussions. Another point of concern that emerges is that while ISRO is the only organisation mentioned when it comes to space-related missions and research in India, the contributions of several other scientific organisations in the country to space research often go unnoticed. Many a time, information about significant contributions is not shared with the general public, and these roles remain unknown. A similar kind of silent and unacknowledged scientific and technical contribution has been made by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to ISRO in its various space missions. Considering India’s human spaceflight mission, the CSIR-ISRO Space Meet was held on 17 November 2025, at CSIR’s Bengaluru-based laboratory, the National Aero­space Laboratories (NAL), in which ISRO and CSIR brainstormed on In­dia’s Human Spaceflight Mission. It is worth considering that CSIR is one of India’s largest scientific organisations, established in 1942, and currently oper­ates 37 national laboratories across the country, conducting research in cutting-edge S&T fields such as oceanography, metallurgy, genomics, materials sci­ence, energy, engineering, environment, medicine, and agricultural technology. Several CSIR laboratories also develop technologies and equipment related to space science, which have been used in ISRO’s space missions. The aforemen­tioned meet focused on the key issue of how CSIR laboratories will strategically provide technical support to India’s up­coming human spaceflight mission.

By 2025, approximately 90% of the Gaganyaan mission’s development will be complete, including the human life support system and crew safety technol­ogies. At a space meet in Bengaluru, Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, highlighted CSIR’s contributions to space technologies, including advanced materials and life support systems, and emphasised knowledge exchange and the use of indigenous innovations. ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Depart­ment of Space, Dr V Narayanan, spoke about CSIR’s role and collaboration in India’s human spaceflight mission. He also proposed a Joint Steering Commit­tee to give a new push and direction to this collaborative relationship. Dr Ab­hay Pashilkar, Director of CSIR-NAL, highlighted his laboratory’s capabili­ties in space technologies, materials re­search, and testing facilities. NASA as­tronaut Jean-François Clervoy, through a video message, emphasised the role of international collaboration in the progress of human spaceflight. Indian astronaut Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair also attended the meeting and shared his training insights related to Gaganyaan, including microgravity simulations, operational protocols, and recovery frameworks.

CSIR LABS: CLOSE PARTNERS IN ISRO’S SPACE RESEARCH

CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) provides critical testing infra­structure to ISRO for space missions. Its 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel, opera­tional since 1967, validates aerodynam­ics for HLVM3 and Gaganyaan’s orbital module. NAL’s Acoustic Test Facility (ATF) simulates intense launch noise to qualify satellites and vehicle subsys­tems before flight. NAL also contributes through aero-elastic and structural test­ing, advanced composites and materi­als research, and collaborative R&D that enhances propulsion and aerospace systems used in space missions. These contributions have been crucial in suc­cessful ISRO missions, including Chan­drayaan and Gaganyaan preparations.

All Images Courtesy: Dr Manish Mohan Gore

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) developed by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) offer ablation resistance above 1600°C for Gaganyaan’s heat shield, outperforming imported phenolics by 30% in erosion tests. It developed silica-phenolic ablators for re-entry vehicles and carbon-phenolic nozzles for solid rocket motors.

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) ensures precision metrology. NPL calibrated sensors for the Environmen­tal Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). NPL’s atomic clock standards synchronise mission timing to 10^-12 seconds is vital for orbital rendezvous.

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Mo­lecular Biology (CCMB) has contributed to space research endeavours that align with the Indian space programme, in­cluding collaborations with ISRO in life science and space biology experiments. Records show that CCMB worked with ISRO on proposals and documentation to conduct life science experiments as­sociated with NASA’s Spacelab mis­sions, reflecting CCMB’s role in study­ing biological processes in microgravity alongside space agencies. CCMB’s in­volvement in space biology underlines the interdisciplinary contributions of life science institutes to space research objectives linked with ISRO and broader international space projects.

Mysuru based CSIR lab, Central Food Technological Research Insti­tute (CFTRI) formulates space nutri­tion. CFTRI’s retort-pouched meals (thermo-stabilized biryani, dal) and 3D-printed nutrient bars provide 2500 kcal/day, preserving 95% vitamins after six months via high-pressure processing. CFTRI supplied specially formulated Indian space food for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 mis­sion to the International Space Station in June-July 2025. Shubhanshu carried items like gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, vegetable biryani, dal, rajma-rice, khichdi, roti, and mango nectar, designed for long shelf life and nutri­tional density in microgravity. CFTRI developed these via high-pressure pro­cessing and retort packaging, ensuring 95% vitamin retention after months and 2500 kcal/day intake in compact form. Shubhanshu noted missing authentic home tastes post-mission, informing CFTRI’s Gaganyaan refinements like millet tablets (4 pills = 1 meal) and refor­mulated sambar-rice or paratha equiva­lents. These address sensory satisfaction alongside nutrition for psychological well-being.

CSIR-National Chemical Labora­tory (NCL) synthesises liquid crystal polymers for spacesuits, offering breath­ability (MVTR >500 g/m²/day) and puncture resistance. Additional contri­butions include CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) refining hypergolic propellants with 2% higher density; CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC) conducting seismic and hypervelocity impact tests on habitats.

We have seen how Indian scientific institutions are doing remarkable work in space research. A major driving force behind this is the fact that space is a boundless resource for human existence in the near future. The significant mile­stones India has achieved in space explo­ration clearly demonstrate that we are among the world’s most powerful na­tions in the field of space research. Our space capabilities not only strengthen socio-economic development but also ensure global leadership. The country’s space research is making a remarkable contribution to communication, naviga­tion, weather forecasting, agriculture, Earth observation, and disaster manage­ment. Besides Gaganyaan, the develop­ment of the Venus Orbiter, Chandray­aan-4, and the Indian Space Station are key objectives of the Indian space pro­gramme in the coming years. All these efforts related to space exploration will make the lives of the country’s citizens easier and also help realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

*The writer is Senior Scientist, CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, New Delhi.