India’s Space Journey 2025–26: Achievements, Setbacks and the Road to Bharatiya Antariksh Station
By Home Academy
Between early 2025 and early 2026, India’s space programme entered one of its most decisive phases. Led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), this period reflected a powerful mix of technological breakthroughs, ambitious global collaborations, commercial expansion, and a few critical setbacks. All these developments are tied together by one long-term national vision: building the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and establishing India as a sustained human spaceflight power.
Human Spaceflight and the Gaganyaan Push
Human spaceflight remained the emotional and strategic core of India’s space narrative. A historic milestone was achieved in June–July 2025 when Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. His participation in the private Axiom-4 mission marked a turning point in India’s astronaut training ecosystem and provided real operational exposure ahead of Gaganyaan.
On the technical front, ISRO successfully completed Integrated Air-Drop Tests (IADT) for the Gaganyaan crew module’s parachute-based deceleration system in August 2025. These tests validated the safety mechanisms essential for crew recovery. Parallelly, preparations intensified for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which will test life-support systems and carry the humanoid robot Vyommitra, a critical step before sending Indian astronauts into space.
Scientific Missions Strengthening India’s Space Science
India’s scientific exploration missions continued to deliver high-impact results. The Aditya-L1 solar mission completed one year in its halo orbit around the Sun–Earth L1 point on January 6, 2025. ISRO released its first comprehensive datasets, offering new insights into solar winds, flares, and space weather—crucial for satellite safety and climate studies.
The legacy of Chandrayaan-3 grew stronger as fresh analysis revealed that the Moon’s south polar region contains primitive mantle materials, deepening understanding of lunar evolution. Looking ahead, ISRO advanced plans for Chandrayaan-4, India’s lunar sample return mission, and formalised cooperation with Japan’s JAXA for Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX, which aims to drill and study water ice on the Moon—an essential resource for future lunar habitation.
Other missions also added depth to India’s science portfolio. The XPoSat, launched in January 2024, continued studying X-ray polarisation from cosmic sources, with public data access opening in late 2024. Meanwhile, the landmark NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite, launched in July 2025, began high-resolution mapping of Earth’s landmass, supporting disaster management, climate research, and agriculture.
Launch Vehicles: Milestones and Reliability Challenges
January 29, 2025, marked a proud institutional moment when ISRO conducted its 100th launch from Sriharikota using the GSLV-F15 mission. However, this celebratory phase was soon tempered by concerns over reliability. The otherwise dependable PSLV rocket faced failures in May 2025 and January 2026, prompting reviews of quality control and mission assurance systems.
At the same time, ISRO pushed structural reforms in launch capability. Development work accelerated on the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) to support heavy-lift missions, space station modules, and deep-space exploration. For small satellite launches, a new dedicated spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu is being developed to support the SSLV, signalling a shift towards more responsive and commercial launch services.
Commercial Space and Private Sector Expansion
India’s space sector witnessed rapid commercialisation during this period. Private startups such as Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos made steady progress in testing their launch vehicles, with Skyroot targeting its first orbital mission in early 2026. These developments reflect India’s transition from a state-led to a mixed public-private space ecosystem.
A major technological breakthrough came in January 2025 when India successfully demonstrated Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) in Low Earth Orbit. This capability is essential for assembling space station modules, crew transfer, and long-duration missions. Supporting this growth, the government approved 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in select space sectors, unlocking global capital, technology, and partnerships.
The Long-Term Vision: From Space Station to Moon Landing
All recent missions converge towards a clearly defined future roadmap. Work has already begun on the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, planned for launch in 2028. This station will serve as a permanent laboratory in space and a stepping stone for deep-space missions.
ISRO is also developing a Venus orbiter mission, aimed at studying the planet’s atmosphere and surface processes. Beyond this, India has set an ambitious national goal: sending an Indian human to the Moon by 2040, positioning the country among the world’s leading spacefaring nations.
Conclusion
The 2025–26 phase of India’s space programme reflects a mature yet evolving ecosystem. While setbacks like PSLV failures highlight operational challenges, landmark achievements in human spaceflight, docking technology, scientific exploration, and private sector growth underline India’s determination. With the Bharatiya Antariksh Station as its anchor vision, India’s journey in space is no longer about isolated missions—it is about sustained presence, strategic autonomy, and global leadership.
— Home Academy
MCQ QUESTION🙋
The first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a private mission in 2025 was
A) Rakesh Sharma
B) Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
C) Shubhanshu Shukla
D) Gagandeep Kang
Correct Answer: CThe Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to the ISS under which mission
A) Gaganyaan-1
B) Artemis-2
C) Axiom Mission 4
D) Expedition 72
Correct Answer: CThe Integrated Air-Drop Tests (IADT) conducted by ISRO in August 2025 were related to
A) Crew escape system
B) Cryogenic engine
C) Parachute-based deceleration system
D) Orbital docking system
Correct Answer: CThe humanoid robot designed to fly on the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is named
A) Mitra
B) Vyommitra
C) AstroBot
D) Navya
Correct Answer: BAditya-L1 mission is positioned in a halo orbit around
A) Earth–Moon L2 point
B) Sun–Earth L1 point
C) Sun–Earth L2 point
D) Earth–Mars transfer orbit
Correct Answer: BThe primary objective of the Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX mission is to
A) Establish a lunar base
B) Study lunar atmosphere
C) Drill and detect water ice on the Moon
D) Test nuclear propulsion
Correct Answer: CWhich international space agency is collaborating with ISRO on the LUPEX mission
A) NASA
B) ESA
C) Roscosmos
D) JAXA
Correct Answer: DXPoSat mission of ISRO is related to the study of
A) Gravitational waves
B) Gamma ray bursts
C) X-ray polarisation of cosmic sources
D) Solar neutrinos
Correct Answer: CThe NISAR satellite is a joint mission between ISRO and
A) ESA
B) NASA
C) JAXA
D) CNES
Correct Answer: BNISAR satellite primarily aims to
A) Monitor ocean currents
B) Study solar flares
C) Map Earth’s landmass using radar
D) Track space debris
Correct Answer: CISRO achieved its 100th launch milestone in January 2025 using which mission
A) PSLV-C58
B) LVM3-M5
C) GSLV-F15 / NVS-02
D) SSLV-D3
Correct Answer: CThe repeated failures that raised concerns about launch reliability in 2025–26 were associated with
A) GSLV Mk III
B) SSLV
C) PSLV
D) NGLV
Correct Answer: CThe new launch site being developed at Kulasekarapattinam is mainly intended for
A) Human spaceflight
B) Interplanetary missions
C) Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
D) Cryogenic engine testing
Correct Answer: CSpaDeX mission demonstrated India’s capability in
A) Space tourism
B) Space docking in Low Earth Orbit
C) Deep space navigation
D) Lunar landing
Correct Answer: BThe approval of 100% FDI in selected space sectors mainly aims to
A) Reduce ISRO missions
B) Promote private sector participation
C) End foreign collaborations
D) Limit satellite launches
Correct Answer: BThe Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to be operational by
A) 2028
B) 2030
C) 2035
D) 2040
Correct Answer: CThe first module of India’s space station is planned for launch in
A) 2026
B) 2028
C) 2032
D) 2035
Correct Answer: BISRO’s proposed Venus mission is categorized as
A) Lander mission
B) Sample return mission
C) Orbiter mission
D) Crewed mission
Correct Answer: CIndia’s long-term human spaceflight goal includes landing an Indian on the Moon by
A) 2030
B) 2035
C) 2040
D) 2047
Correct Answer: CThe Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is primarily intended to support
A) Weather satellites only
B) Light launch missions
C) Heavy-lift and space station missions
D) Sounding rockets
Correct Answer: C