UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16th July 2025
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth After Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
Introduction
- Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his fellow crew members of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), successfully returned to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
- The mission marks a significant milestone in India’s path toward indigenous human spaceflight, particularly the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
- Mission Duration and Achievements:
- Total duration: 18 days onboard the ISS
- Launched: June 25, 2025, via Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Completed: 320 orbits of Earth, covering approximately 8.4 million miles
- Scientific output: Over 60 research activities and 23 outreach events conducted
Scientific Experiments by Shubhanshu Shukla:
- Conducted studies on skeletal muscle degradation in microgravity.
- Participated in agricultural experiments, successfully growing methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) seeds in space — showcasing India’s interest in long-duration human space missions with sustainable life-support systems.
Significance for India:
- This mission is a precursor to ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme, India’s first human spaceflight initiative.
- Showcases India’s growing participation in international space cooperation, particularly in low Earth orbit missions.
- Demonstrates India’s preparedness in astronaut training, international collaboration, and space science research.
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Economic Implications
For Indian Exporters
- These reforms reduce transaction costs and compliance hurdles
- Encourage a more competitive and efficient export environment
- Promote value addition in key sectors like leather
For Tamil Nadu
- The reforms particularly benefit the state’s leather industry, a major contributor to employment and exports
- Boost the marketability of GI-tagged E.I. leather, enhancing rural and traditional industries
For Trade Policy
- These decisions indicate a shift from regulatory controls to policy facilitation
Reinforce the goals of Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s ambition to become a leading export power
Recently, BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, claimed that India has overtaken Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
India’s rank as the world’s largest economy varies by measure—nominal GDP or purchasing power parity (PPP)—each with key implications for economic analysis.
