New Delhi, June 10: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in coordination with NASA, has officially confirmed a further postponement of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The delay, attributed to ongoing technical assessments and international coordination requirements, marks another rescheduling of the highly-anticipated mission.
Initially planned for launch in mid-2025, the mission is part of India’s growing human spaceflight programme and is considered a critical milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. Shukla, one of ISRO’s astronaut trainees under the Gaganyaan initiative, was nominated for the ISS journey following joint training and evaluation exercises with international space agencies.
According to officials, the mission was deferred due to unresolved technical issues related to the docking interface and the scheduling of crew rotation on the ISS. Additionally, both ISRO and NASA are conducting further safety validations to ensure compliance with international flight protocols.
In an official statement, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath reiterated the agency’s stance on prioritising astronaut safety. “We are following a meticulous approach to ensure every component of the mission is thoroughly tested. While this delay is unfortunate, it is necessary for the overall success and safety of the operation,” he stated.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission was expected to mark a new chapter in India’s space achievements by placing another Indian astronaut in orbit after decades. His assignment to the ISS had sparked considerable excitement among scientists and citizens alike, symbolising India’s increasing global presence in space technology and exploration.
Experts suggest that such delays are routine in the field of human spaceflight, where precision and caution are paramount. “Postponements in space missions are not uncommon, especially when astronauts are involved. The systems need to meet exacting standards,” said Dr. Meera Chandekar, a spaceflight analyst based in Bengaluru.
Despite the delay, the mission remains on track for a future launch, with both ISRO and NASA continuing their collaboration. A revised launch schedule is expected to be announced once the current technical evaluations are completed.
The development comes at a time when ISRO is scaling up its space operations, following the success of missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1. The eventual execution of Shukla’s mission is expected to boost India’s stature in global human spaceflight efforts.
