News for 'spaceflight'

'Gaganyaan will position India uniquely in global space race'

'Gaganyaan will position India uniquely in global space race'

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla discusses the Gaganyaan mission and its potential to inspire other nations in space exploration, drawing on his experiences as an IAF test pilot and his time on the International Space Station.

Blue Origin rocket explodes during launch pad test

Blue Origin rocket explodes during launch pad test

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin experienced a major setback as its New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test at a launch pad in Florida, raising concerns about its ability to compete with SpaceX in the commercial space race.

How Artemis II's Success Fuels Confidence in India's Gaganyaan Mission

How Artemis II's Success Fuels Confidence in India's Gaganyaan Mission

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

The successful Artemis II mission has boosted confidence in India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, as both aim to demonstrate similar spaceflight capabilities. Experts highlight the collaboration between ISRO and NASA and the shared training programmes for astronauts.

NASA Unveils Plan For Permanent Lunar Base

NASA Unveils Plan For Permanent Lunar Base

Rediff.com27 May 2026

NASA has announced three missions to the moon as part of efforts to establish a permanent base on the earth's natural satellite. The USD 20 billion plan includes lunar rovers and drones for experiments to help master skills to live and operate in the dangerous environment.

Shubhanshu Shukla gets ready for historic spaceflight

Shubhanshu Shukla gets ready for historic spaceflight

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others were getting ready for their journey to the International Space Station on board SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket that is scheduled to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida on Tuesday evening.

ISRO Highlights Crucial Role of Mission Operations in India's Space Ambitions

ISRO Highlights Crucial Role of Mission Operations in India's Space Ambitions

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan has emphasised the critical role of mission operations in ensuring the success of India's expanding space programme. He highlighted this at the Spacecraft Mission Operations conference, noting the importance of sustained teamwork and operational precision, particularly for long-duration missions like Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Gaganyaan programme.

NASA launches historic Artemis II mission to Moon after 50 years

NASA launches historic Artemis II mission to Moon after 50 years

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

A crew of four astronauts boarded their spacecraft for the landmark flight, which represents a major milestone in lunar exploration.

Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, 608 days in space

Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, 608 days in space

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, completing three missions aboard the International Space Station and setting numerous spaceflight records. She is currently visiting India.

India, US engaged on early trade deal as space tie-up deepens: Envoy Kwatra

India, US engaged on early trade deal as space tie-up deepens: Envoy Kwatra

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Kwatra termed India's successful launch of an American communication satellite on Wednesday as a 'very important and big day' for partnership between Washington and New Delhi, saying it caps a series of achievements in 2025 in bilateral space cooperation between the countries.

Beating Retreat echoes with Vande Mataram, military might, Op Sindoor

Beating Retreat echoes with Vande Mataram, military might, Op Sindoor

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The sesquicentenary of 'Vande Mataram' was the overriding theme of the ceremonial event held at the Vijay Chowk and presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, who arrived at the venue in a traditional buggy to the sound of bugles, adding a ceremonial grace to the occasion.

ISRO Invites Indian Industry To Build Space Station

ISRO Invites Indian Industry To Build Space Station

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station represents the next phase of India's human spaceflight ambitions, enabling long-duration presence in space, advanced microgravity research and technology development, and supporting future human exploration missions.

ISRO de-docks SpaDeX satellites, paves way for spaceflights

ISRO de-docks SpaDeX satellites, paves way for spaceflights

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully de-docked the SpaDeX satellites, a significant achievement that clears the path for future missions such as exploring the moon, human spaceflight, and building India's own space station. The de-docking, announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, follows a successful docking experiment conducted in January. The SpaDeX mission involved launching two satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, to demonstrate the docking technology in space.

Sunita Williams: 'Humans arguing seems silly when...'

Sunita Williams: 'Humans arguing seems silly when...'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Astronaut Sunita Williams discusses how space travel changed her perspective on life, emphasizing the unity of Earth and the silliness of human conflicts when viewed from space.

ISS pioneer Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

ISS pioneer Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. The award recognizes his contributions to the Axiom-4 mission and India's advancements in human space exploration.

Images That Defined 2025

Images That Defined 2025

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Captured in powerful images and unforgettable moments, 2025 emerged as a turning point in global affairs. These images tell the defining stories that shaped the world across continents.

ISRO planning 7 more launches this financial year

ISRO planning 7 more launches this financial year

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Indian Space Research Organisation is gearing up for one of its busiest times with seven more launches planned this financial year, even as India's first human spaceflight remains scheduled for 2027, its chairman V Narayanan said.

ISRO Readies For Crucial Space Launches

ISRO Readies For Crucial Space Launches

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

These upcoming launches carry added significance in light of setbacks suffered in recent years.

China mulls military base in Pakistan: Pentagon

China mulls military base in Pakistan: Pentagon

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

In its annual report to Congress on Tuesday on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025', the US Department of War said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is actively considering and planning for additional military facilities.

India to launch uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2026

India to launch uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2026

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

India is set to take its first steps towards its own human space flight when the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission soars to the skies later this year. Private players in the space sector are also gearing up for launching satellites on home-built rockets.

ISRO lines up 7 launches by Mar, including Gaganyaan uncrewed mission

ISRO lines up 7 launches by Mar, including Gaganyaan uncrewed mission

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

ISRO has announced plans for seven launch missions by March, including the first uncrewed mission for the Gaganyaan project and demonstrations of new satellite technologies.

ISRO Clears 200 Milestones, Gaganyaan Next

ISRO Clears 200 Milestones, Gaganyaan Next

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

From a surge in startups to crewed mission preparations, 2025 marks a transformative year as India eyes $44 billion space economy by 2033.

400 scientists worked 24x7 during Op Sindoor: ISRO chief

400 scientists worked 24x7 during Op Sindoor: ISRO chief

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

The role of the space sector in armed conflicts came into sharp focus during Operation Sindoor, which saw extensive use of drones and loitering munitions and tested the capabilities of air defence systems such as indigenously developed Akash Teer.

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

Rediff.com24 Aug 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's second astronaut, shares his journey from a shy child hearing stories of Rakesh Sharma to becoming part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. He emphasizes the role of the IAF in his transformation and inspires India's youth to explore space.

ISRO conducts first Gaganyaan parachute test

ISRO conducts first Gaganyaan parachute test

Rediff.com24 Aug 2025

ISRO successfully conducted the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) to validate the parachute-based deceleration system for the Gaganyaan mission, demonstrating a crucial step towards India's human spaceflight program.

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System and the Crew Module and Service Module are all in final stages of testing and integration.

Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed to Wednesday

Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed to Wednesday

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket was scheduled to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Tuesday evening.

Splashdown! Shubhanshu Shukla Is Back On Earth!

Splashdown! Shubhanshu Shukla Is Back On Earth!

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 mission crew safely returned to Earth after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station, splashing down off the coast of San Diego.

'ISRO Will Ensure Security Of Every Citizen Of Bharat'

'ISRO Will Ensure Security Of Every Citizen Of Bharat'

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

'You can observe a lot of things from space.' 'Another thing is communication, in real time, especially in war-like situations.' 'During Operation Sindoor, we could play our part well.'

One Step Closer To Gaganyaan...

One Step Closer To Gaganyaan...

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

With these successful tests, ISRO has moved a step closer to India's first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

Shukla calls ISRO chief from ISS, shares mission progress

Shukla calls ISRO chief from ISS, shares mission progress

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, has acknowledged ISRO's efforts in ensuring his safe travel. He spoke with ISRO chairman V Narayanan about his well-being and the experiments being conducted on the ISS.

41 years later, an Indian astronaut set to script history

41 years later, an Indian astronaut set to script history

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla stands on the cusp of history as he prepares to set off on a space odyssey, marking India's return to space flight 41 years after his idol Rakesh Sharma orbited the earth for eight days as part of Soviet Union's Interkosmos programme.

Shuks' Space Flight Postponed Again

Shuks' Space Flight Postponed Again

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

'The launch of Axiom 04 slated for 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS is postponed.'

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to arrive in India this weekend

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to arrive in India this weekend

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to travel to space, is expected to arrive in India this weekend after completing his mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in National Space Day celebrations.

Safety, mission integrity top priority, says ISRO amid Axiom-4 delay

Safety, mission integrity top priority, says ISRO amid Axiom-4 delay

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Meanwhile, Musk said some parts of the ISS were "simply getting too old and obviously that risk grows over time."

India's Shubhanshu Shukla to pilot space mission on June 8 after delay

India's Shubhanshu Shukla to pilot space mission on June 8 after delay

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, piloted by Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with three other crew members, has been delayed and will now be launched from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 8 at 6:41 pm IST.

Axiom-4 mission hits another delay as NASA examines leak at ISS

Axiom-4 mission hits another delay as NASA examines leak at ISS

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

On Thursday, NASA announced that it was working with Roscosmos to understand a new pressure signature, after the recent post-repair effort in the aft-most segment of the International Space Station's Zvezda service module.

India to send man into space by 2027, land on Moon by 2040

India to send man into space by 2027, land on Moon by 2040

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announces ambitious space program goals, including landing Indians on the Moon by 2040 and launching the 'Gaganyaan' mission in 2027. The agency is also working on a national space station and uncrewed missions.

Shubhanshu Shukla to dock at ISS on June 11 after 28-hr flight

Shubhanshu Shukla to dock at ISS on June 11 after 28-hr flight

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are set to embark on the Axiom Space's fourth human spaceflight from National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 and are likely to dock at the International Space Station on June 11 at about 10 pm IST, after a nearly 28-hour journey.

ISRO Will Spend 550 Cr On Shukla's ISS Trip

ISRO Will Spend 550 Cr On Shukla's ISS Trip

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

If Rakesh Sharma represented the dreams of a nascent India looking outward, Shubhanshu Shukla embodies a confident India reaching for the controls.

Indian astronaut Shukla's Axiom-4 mission to ISS to take off on June 10

Indian astronaut Shukla's Axiom-4 mission to ISS to take off on June 10

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.