Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Highlights Global Excitement Around India’s Space Missions

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India’s astronauts, said the country’s space programme has sparked worldwide excitement as it enters a new phase of ambitious missions. He was addressing an event at Bharat Mandapam on the occasion of National Space Day.

Shukla noted that the celebration of National Space Day itself was a recent initiative, started just last year, yet it had already created widespread enthusiasm across the nation. He said that India’s upcoming projects, including the Gaganyan human spaceflight mission and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station, required collective participation from citizens, educational institutions, and research organisations.

Highlighting international interest, Shukla shared that astronauts and officials from Japanese and European space agencies had expressed eagerness to collaborate with India’s missions. According to him, they even asked to be invited to participate in future flights launched from Indian soil, underscoring the country’s growing role in the global space community.

National Space Day, observed to commemorate India’s achievements in space exploration, featured exhibitions, discussions, and cultural programmes that reflected the nation’s scientific aspirations. The event brought together policymakers, scientists, students, and space professionals, underlining the broad support for India’s journey in space technology.