India will have its own space station by 2035

DR JITENDRA SINGH, Union minister of state, science and technology

- ABHINAV SINGH AND KANU SARDA

Q/ What will be the biggest outcome of Gaganyaan for India's space future?

India's ascent in the space sector has already begun and is recognised globally. We are no longer followers, we are equal partners in international collaborations. The Gaganyaan mission will mark another defining moment. It will not just reaffirm India's capabilities in human spaceflight but add to our scientific knowledge. Alongside experiments like those performed by astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station on microgravity, agriculture and life sciences, the mission will provide insights with applications on earth. This will further establish India as a leader in space exploration while we continue to use space technology for infrastructure, development and ease of living.

Q/ With young astronauts like Shukla coming in, how crucial is the role of youth in shaping our human spaceflight journey?

Youth are indispensable to India's future in every sector, including space. More than 70 per cent of our population is below the age of 40, so naturally, they are the torchbearers of Viksit Bharat. In space, youth have an edge because of the physical and mental adaptability required. For instance, among the four astronauts trained for Gaganyaan, Shubhanshu was the youngest and that was an advantage. Space missions demand quick acclimatisation, something younger individuals can handle more efficiently.

Q/ Do you think Gaganyaan will open doors for scientists, engineers and women astronauts?

Absolutely. There is no distinction between men and women in space science. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced Gaganyaan on August 15, 2018, he said Bharat