New Delhi [India], August 18 : Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has praised Commander Shubhanshu Shukla's recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting its importance for India's human spaceflight ambitions.
"Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). It served as a stepping stone to our nation's own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan," Tharoor said.
Tharoor highlighted the mission's invaluable contributions, noting that it provided the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with hands-on experience and data unattainable by simulations.
He wrote, "Shukla's mission provided ISRO invaluable hands-on experience & data that cannot be replicated in simulations. His first-hand observations on pre-launch procedures, spacecraft systems, and the psychological and physiological effects of microgravity are crucial for de-risking and refining the Gaganyaan mission."
Tharoor added that the mission tested Indian systems and protocols in an actual space environment, contributing essential scientific validation through experiments on human health and plant growth.
"The mission allowed for the testing of Indian systems & protocols in a real-life space environment. The numerous scientific experiments, including studies on human health in space and plant growth, provide technological @ scientific validation which will directly help design the life-support and medical systems for Gaganyaan. Shukla's mission, conducted in partnership with international agencies, reinforced India's role in global space diplomacy. It demonstrates India's willingness and capability to engage in multilateral space efforts and opens doors for future joint research and investment," he added.
The Thiruvanthapuram MP also noted that Shukla's mission strengthened India's role in international space diplomacy, demonstrating the country's readiness to engage in multilateral space efforts and paving the way for future joint research and investments.
The Congress MP wrote, "Commander Shukla's historic flight serves as a powerful symbol of India's ambitions in human spaceflight. It has captured the nation's imagination, inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, maths & space studies -- all essential for sustaining India's long-term space goals. Well done!"
Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in the national capital in the early hours of Sunday.
Shukla was part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.