By Dr Srimathy Kesan
Exploring Human Space Programs Humanity’s quest to reach for the stars has been a long and captivating one. From the early days of gazing at the night sky to the modern marvels of space travel, human space programs have played a pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of exploration and scientific discovery. The official kick start of the human space program can be traced back to April 12, 1961, when Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union became the first human in space. This historic event marked the beginning of the Space Race, a period of intense competition between the Soviet Union and the United States to achieve dominance in space exploration.
Over the years, several countries have joined the ranks of nations actively participating in human space programs. The United States boasts the largest human space program globally, with NASA sending the most astronauts into space and achieving various milestones, including the first crewed lunar landing during the Apollo missions. Russia, successor to the Soviet Union’s space program, continues to be a significant player, collaborating with other agencies like NASA on the International Space Station (ISS). China’s space program has seen rapid growth in recent decades, with ambitions for crewed lunar missions in the future. Japan, through its space agency JAXA, actively participates in space exploration and contributes astronauts to the ISS program. The European Space Agency (ESA), a consortium of European nations, has its own astronaut corps and collaborates on various space projects, including the ISS.
India’s space agency, ISRO, is actively developing its human space program, aiming for its first crewed orbital mission in 2024 with the Gaganyaan program. As of February 29, 2024, the estimated number of astronauts from different countries stands as follows: United States: Over 320 astronauts; Russia: Over 140 astronauts (including Soviet cosmonauts); China: Over 20 astronauts; Japan: Over 10 astronauts; ESA member states: Over 20 astronauts from various European countries.
Obtaining precise figures for space budgets across different research centers is challenging due to varying methodologies and potential fluctuations. However, global estimates suggest that the global space budget is likely in the hundreds of billions of US dollars annually. The United States and China lead in space budget allocations, with significant investments in their respective space programs. The European Space Agency (ESA) receives a combined budget from member states, totalling several billion US dollars annually.
Budget
India’s budget for ISRO’s Gaganyaan program is estimated to be around Rs10,000 crore (US$1.3 billion) for the maiden crewed mission. India’s space budget has witnessed a significant increase over the past five years, demonstrating its growing ambitions in space exploration.
Budget Growth
2022-2023: Rs 13,949 crore (US$1.7 billion) – Highest allocation in recent history.
2021-2022: Rs 12,472 crore (US$1.55 billion).
2020-2021: Rs 11,567 crore (US$1.4 billion).
2019-2020: Rs 10,000 crore (US$1.22 billion).
2018-2019: Rs 9,538 crore (US$1.17 billion).
Impactful Plans:
Gaganyaan Program: Budget allocation of Rs 10,000 crore (US$1.3 billion) aims for a crewed mission by 2024, signifying a historic step for India’s human spaceflight endeavours.
Chandrayaan-3: Budget allocated for the third lunar exploration mission, aiming for a soft landing on the Moon in 2025 to further scientific research and technological advancements.
Aditya-L1 Mission: Planned mission to study the Sun’s corona, with a budget allocation of Rs 1,200 crore (US$145 million) for its crucial scientific observations.
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC): Budgetary support for developing and maintaining India’s indigenous satellite navigation system, offering an alternative to GPS and promoting self-reliance.
The increased space budget has fuelled the development of advanced launch vehicles like the GSLV Mark III and Gaganyaan spacecraft, enabling ambitious missions. India’s space program has fostered innovation and entrepreneurship in the space technology sector, creating high-skilled jobs and contributing to national economic growth. Looking ahead, India aims to invest further in reusable launch vehicles, human spaceflight capabilities, and deep space exploration endeavours, solidifying its position as a major spacefaring nation. While the budgetary increase is significant, it remains relatively modest compared to major spacefaring nations like the US and China. Striking a balance between space exploration and addressing other national priorities like education and healthcare remains a critical discussion point. India’s rising space budget reflects its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. With ambitious plans and dedicated efforts, the nation is poised to make further strides in this captivating field, inspiring future generations and contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
The human space program is not just about statistics and data points; it’s a tapestry woven with captivating stories that ignite our spirit of exploration and serve as testaments to human ingenuity and resilience.
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma
One such story is that of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first and only Indian in space. Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984, as part of the Soviet Interkosmos program. During a joint television news conference with officials in Moscow and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sharma was asked how India looked from outer space. His iconic response, “Sare Jahan Se Accha” (the best in the world), resonated deeply with people across India, showcasing the pride and humility of the nation’s first astronaut.
New Astronauts
The new four astronauts for ISRO’s groundbreaking human spaceflight initiative, Gaganyaan, underwent comprehensive training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center — a historical center where Rakesh Sharma had previously trained in 1984. Located in Star City, just north of Moscow, the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center is renowned for its cutting-edge facilities, encompassing integrated simulators and diverse survival training scenarios, including those in mountains, woodlands, marshes, deserts, the Arctic, and at sea.
Rakesh Sharma’s legacy as India’s pioneer in space continues to inspire generations, yet his modesty and professionalism remain exemplary. While he didn’t introduce the four astronauts to the world, his journey should indeed be taught in schools across India, serving as an inspiration for every aspiring scientist and astronaut.
As we look to the future of space exploration, with endeavours like NASA’s Artemis program aiming to return humans to the Moon and private companies contributing to technological advancements, it’s essential to remember the lessons of the past and the stories that shape our collective journey among the stars. In the vast expanse of space, humanity finds not only challenges but also opportunities for growth, discovery, and unity.
The author is Founder, and CEO of SpaceKidz India.
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