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‘India Taking A Leap In Human Space Travel’: ISRO Chief To News18 After Shubhanshu Shukla’s Success | India News
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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, 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… Read More
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Good News! South India To Get A Bullet Train Connecting These 4 Major Cities, Announces Andhra CM
Good news! India is now gearing up to welcome a bullet train in South India. It will connect four major cities and serve nearly five crore people across the region. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced this major project on Saturday during the India Food Manufacturing Summit. Here’s what we know.
A New Bullet Train Project In South India
India’s first-ever bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is already progressing in full swing and is expected to become operational next year. But in a recent development, one more bullet train might be added to the country. As per a report by Times Now, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu addressed the India Food Manufacturing Summit on Saturday. He announced that a bullet train is soon going to come to South India.
This major infrastructure project will connect Hyderabad, Chennai, Amravati and Bengaluru. Furthermore, the CM announced that road infrastructure will be upgraded to international standards. These large-scale infrastructure plans aim to transform the region into a major logistical hub.
Also Read: India’s First Bullet Train Update: Stations On Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor Nearing Completion
The Project Aimed To Boost Connectivity & Tourism
Reportedly, this bullet train will cater to a population of nearly five crore people across these four major South Indian cities. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also added that a survey has been ordered so people can understand how logistics and transport will improve once the bullet train materialises.
The announcement comes at a significant time as India is already working on its first bullet train project. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which spans over 500 km, will feature 12 world-class stations. With this new project announced for South India, connecting Hyderabad, Amravati, Chennai and Bengaluru, travel time between these cities is expected to be cut drastically. Moreover, the project also aims to boost trade, manufacturing and tourism. It will make commuting much easier for millions of passengers.
The South India bullet train project marks a major move in upgrading the country’s transportation system. Surveys are still underway, but if this vision comes to life, the high-speed train will seriously redefine how people travel in the South. What do you think of this initiative? Let us know.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ David Dibert (Representative Image)
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First Published: August 31, 2025 12:08 PM
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PM Modi-Xi Jinping meeting: India and China to resume direct flights after five-year hiatus
Air travel between the two countries was halted in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and further disrupted following the deadly border clash in the Galwan Valley that year. Since then, passengers and cargo have been rerouted via third countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, adding substantial time and cost to travel and trade.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the move on Saturday, a day beforer the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that both governments had agreed to restart direct flight services as relations between the two nations showed signs of improvement. “We are reopening one of Asia’s most important economic corridors,” Modi said, according to reports, adding that the decision would benefit businesses, students, and families across both countries.
Sharing my remarks during meeting with President Xi Jinping. https://t.co/pw1OAMBWdc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2025
Also read | PM Modi meets Xi Jinping in Tianjin as SCO Summit gets underway
Before the suspension, traffic between India and China was considerable. Before the Pandemic in the financial year 2019, over 816,000 passengers travelled between the two nations, with Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo operating hundreds of monthly flights alongside Chinese airlines. Cargo movement was also significant, with nearly 30,000 tonnes shipped annually — higher than the cargo volume between India and the US.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to revitalise trade and tourism, as well as support Indian and Chinese companies with firm business ties. For students and professionals who previously relied on complex transit routes, the resumption of direct services will simplify travel and reduce costs.
No official schedule has yet been released, but aviation authorities in both countries are expected to approve routes in the coming weeks. Industry experts predict that carriers will initially resume limited services before expanding based on demand.
The move comes amid broader efforts to stabilise ties between New Delhi and Beijing, with high-level diplomatic engagements resuming and trade volumes gradually recovering. While tensions remain, the restoration of direct air links is being seen as a positive step toward normalising relations.
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