'India Taking A Leap In Human Space Travel': ISRO Chief To News18 After Shubhanshu Shukla's Success

Last Updated:July 15, 2025, 17:07 IST

V Narayanan confirmed that the human-rated vehicle for Gaganyaan is getting ready, and advanced safety systems are under vigorous development

Recalling the lead-up to Axiom 4, Narayanan detailed the crucial decision to postpone the launch due to a detected leakage. File pic/PTI

The triumph of the Axiom 4 mission, which saw Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gain invaluable spaceflight experience, was a moment of immense relief and pride for ISRO, but it wasn’t without its challenges. In a candid interview with CNN-News18, ISRO chairman V Narayanan revealed the intense personal pressure he faced when a minor leak was detected in the launch vehicle, a critical issue that led to a postponement and ultimately ensured the mission’s safe execution.

“Congratulations to all. It’s a grand, successful mission," Narayanan declared, proud of the Axiom 4 achievement. “This experience will be extremely useful for our Gaganyaan programme. We are all working very hard to send our own brothers and sisters to space and bring them back safely."

Narayanan emphasised the significant strides India is making in its human space programme. He confirmed that the human-rated vehicle for Gaganyaan is getting ready, and advanced safety systems are under vigorous development. The orbital module is also progressing steadily, forming key components of India’s ambitious foray into crewed spaceflight.

A Critical Decision for Safety

Recalling the lead-up to Axiom 4, Narayanan detailed the crucial decision to postpone the launch due to the detected leakage.

“It was a great decision," he stated, explaining ISRO’s firm stance. “We intervened and told them it had to be corrected, and only then would we allow it. Based on our insistence, the launch was postponed, and it was corrected. It ensured a safe flight…I was sure it would be safe when, on our insistence, they did validation tests and corrected it."

Sleepless Nights in Florida

Narayanan offered a deeply personal insight into the stressful period. “I was spending sleepless nights when the rocket was having leaks. Till it was stopped, I didn’t sleep. Because the safety of our brothers and astronauts is involved. How can I sleep when they are not safe? Once it was corrected, I was a cool person. But that time was very tense; I can’t explain in words," he said.

Narayanan said that the training that two of India’s Gaganyaatris, Shukla and Prashant Nair, underwent for 10 months will be invaluable for India’s space mission. The ISRO team was on-site for a month during launch operations.

“My team did a fantastic job in sending them properly to space. I was there to ensure their safety," Narayanan said, reinforcing ISRO’s dedication. “On June 10, we were not convinced, and they had to put a hold on the launch at our insistence. It was corrected. This successful mission is truly a seed for our Gaganyaan programme."

Extensive Testing for Gaganyaan’s Future

Looking ahead, Narayanan shared impressive figures for the Gaganyaan programme itself. “For Gaganyaan, we have carried out 7,300 tests so far. Each milestone is important," he said.

The ISRO chief detailed that the total will reach 10,000 tests, encompassing crew module tests, propulsion module tests, simulation tests, and environmental and electrical tests. “Training astronauts and giving them experience was one. Basically, our country is taking a leap in the human space programme. We are trying to learn whatever is possible."

Narayanan concluded by emphasising the paramount importance of astronaut confidence, reassuring that “thousands of people are working for their safety". The experience gained from Axiom 4, particularly in aspects like landing, he said, will significantly contribute to India’s future human spaceflight endeavours.

Harish Upadhya

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...Read More

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...

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