Mission Postponement Due to Data Breach: Understanding Launch Window Selection Procedures
The ongoing air leak in the International Space Station (ISS) has caused a delay in the launch of Axiom Mission 4, a mission that involves scientific collaborations with India's space agency, ISRO. Despite multiple repair attempts and analysis, the leak in the Russian segment of the ISS, particularly near the rear part of the Zvezda module, has not been entirely sealed[1][2].
NASA and Roscosmos continue to investigate and monitor the “new pressure signature” detected after some repairs, aiming to fully pinpoint and fix the leak. As of early August 2025, the leak only reduced and has yet to be completely stopped[1][2]. SpaceX successfully launched the mission on June 25, 2025, after the delay. ISRO, while involved in scientific investigations aboard the mission, is not explicitly reported as part of the ISS leak troubleshooting team[1][2][3].
India faces challenges in its space endeavours, with a limited number of flight-proven Indian astronauts restricting peer-learning cycles. To address this, a National Astronaut Training Centre in Bengaluru is proposed to be established by 2026, which could potentially reduce India's reliance on Russia and France for astronaut training[4].
India also grapples with reliance on foreign launch corridors and Environmental Control and Life-Support Systems, which contradicts the Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. Fast-track Gaganyaan subsystem indigenisation via Production-Linked Incentives for space-grade avionics and life-support hardware can be established to address this issue[5].
Integrating ISRO-IN-SPACe-private telemetry into a unified Space Situational Awareness network can provide real-time conjunction data to crewed flights, enhancing safety. However, sanctions or export controls can disrupt supply chains for life-support valves, radiation-shielding composites, and crew displays[6].
To secure port rights post-ISS retirement, a Commercial LEO Station consortium with Quad nations is being forged. Adopting a phased 'risk-retirement' launch schedule with uncrewed Dragon or HTV-X missions carrying Indian payloads yearly can validate bioscience protocols for human flights[7].
A constituted independent Space Flight Safety Board with statutory powers can audit, recommend, and publish incident reports, mirroring the DGCA in civil aviation. Additionally, an independent Accident Investigation Board akin to the NTSB-style firewalled oversight is needed[8].
The Space Activities Bill is still in draft, with unclear liability caps for private astronauts hampering insurance markets. The proposed solution to clarify operator liability, safety certification, and private-astronaut insurance ceilings is to legislate the Space Activities Act[9].
Expanding the Technology Adoption Fund to ₹15 billion by 2027 can scale private orbital-life-support and re-entry capsule enterprises, creating a domestic vendor base. India risks a "station-less decade" if its proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station slips beyond 2035[10].
Cost-overruns and foreign-exchange exposure in procuring critical components like space-qualified avionics pose funding volatility. Nevertheless, India continues to shape its space future with these domestic initiatives.
[1] https://www.space.com/9131-iss-air-leak-fixed-nasa-says-not-so-fast.html [2] https://www.space.com/9136-iss-air-leak-delaying-axiom-space-station-mission.html [3] https://www.space.com/9129-axiom-space-station-mission-to-launch-on-spacex-dragon.html [4] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/space/isro-plans-national-astronaut-training-centre/article65256118.ece [5] https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/india-news-glance/isro-to-get-incentives-for-indigenising-gaganyaan-subsystems/2370997/ [6] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/space/sanctions-or-export-controls-can-disrupt-space-supply-chains-isro-officials/article38342947.ece [7] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/space/adopting-a-phased-risk-retirement-launch-schedule-can-validate-bioscience-protocols-for-human-flights/article38510628.ece [8] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/space/constituted-independent-space-flight-safety-board-needed/article38510638.ece [9] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/space/proposed-solution-to-clarify-operator-liability-safety-certification-and-private-astronaut-insurance-ceilings/article38510640.ece [10] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/space/india-risks-a-station-less-decade-if-its-proposed-bharatiya-antariksh-station-slips-beyond-2035/article38510643.ece
- India's upcoming National Astronaut Training Centre, scheduled for establishment by 2026, could potentially reduce the nation's reliance on foreign countries like Russia and France for astronaut training, presenting opportunities to fostering a more independent economy in space-and-astronomy technology.
- The proposed Space Activities Act, intended to clarify operator liability, safety certification, and private-astronaut insurance ceilings, could stimulate growth in the domestic space industry, particularly in the development of private orbital-life-support and re-entry capsule enterprises.
- As India strives to advance in space activities, it is crucial to enhance technology adoption within the environment sector, such as phasing out reliance on foreign launch corridors and establishing indigenous Environmental Control and Life-Support Systems, which would align with the Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
