US-based Axiom Space, which recently launched Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla into space as part of its Axiom-4 mission, intends to strengthen its collaboration with India in the realms of human spaceflights and its space station program, according to its chief executive Tejpaul Bhatia. In a conversation with ET’s Kiran Rathee, Bhatia emphasized India’s increasing significance in the global space ecosystem, highlighted by numerous initiatives over the past few years, including missions to both the moon and the sun. Axiom is recognized as the first private entity to create a commercial space station, which is expected to commence initial operations by 2027. The mission holds considerable importance for Axiom, the global community, and India. We are currently the sole company to have conducted any commercial astronaut missions to the ISS (International Space Station). For India, Poland, and Hungary, this marks their inaugural astronauts’ journey to the ISS. With the second astronaut ever and India serving as the pilot, this represents a significant message to the world regarding India’s position as a space power.
The partnerships formed between the US, India, NASA, ISRO, and Axiom have ushered in a new era of collaboration, uniting various capabilities and expanding access to space for all. ISRO is utilizing Skyroot, an Indian space startup specializing in space launch services, to transport cargo or payloads into space. Axiom is also extending its services to any private astronaut aspiring to travel to space. With the increased accessibility to space through Axiom, private individuals could potentially embark on this journey as well. The commitment required is no different from that of a nation or a professional astronaut, which entails eight months to a year of intensive training to ensure thorough preparation, training, and certification for the journey. Therefore, any individual from India, provided they have the resources, could also travel to the International Space Station with future human spaceflights involving Indian astronauts.
