Stepping Stone 18-07-2025

Editorial- Stepping Stone: India’s First Astronaut in ISS — On the NASA‑Axiom‑ISRO Tie‑Up

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🟡 Introduction & Context

On 12 July 2025, The Hindu editorial lauded the historic NASA–Axiom–ISRO collaboration that enabled Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to serve aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Described as a “stepping stone” for India’s human spaceflight ambitions—especially the Gaganyaan mission—this joint mission marked a new era of international scientific cooperation and technological advancement. Shukla’s mission, covering vital microgravity experiments, exemplifies how strategic global ties can boost national capacity and inspire the next generation of Indian astronauts.
khas khabar+6ISRO+6Indiatimes+6

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🔵 Constitutional & Policy Context

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🟢 Key Points

1. Historic Feat: Shukla became the first Indian astronaut on the ISS and second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984).
   Wikipedia+1Indiatimes+1

2. Collaborative Model: The mission was a public–private–international partnership—ISRO funded ₹548 cr, Axiom Space and NASA coordinated the mission.
   Indiatimes

3. Scientific Impact: Conducted 7 microgravity experiments on muscle, microbes, crops, and cognition—critical for long-duration missions like Gaganyaan.
   Wikipedia+5ISRO+5Wikipedia+5

4. Strategic Preparation: The collaboration offers hands-on experience in crew coordination, life support, health monitoring, and mission operations—building groundwork for future indigenous missions.
   ISRO+1Wikipedia+1

5. National Inspiration: Live interactions with PM Modi and students sparked national pride and motivated aspiring scientists and youth across India.
   ISRO

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📚 Hard Words – Meanings in English & Hindi

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🎯 8 MCQs for UPSC, SSC, UPPSC, RRB & More

1. Who is India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS?
   A. Rakesh Sharma
   B. Kalpana Chawla
   C. Shubhanshu Shukla ✅
   D. Sunita Williams

2. Which mission did Shukla fly on?
   A. Gaganyaan
   B. Ax‑4 ✅
   C. Soyuz MS‑10
   D. Shenzhou 12

3. Approximate cost ISRO spent on the Ax‑4 mission?
   A. ₹300 cr
   B. ₹548 cr ✅
   C. ₹700 cr
   D. ₹900 cr

4. Which constitutional article encourages scientific temper?
   A. Art. 49
   B. Art. 51A(h) ✅
   C. Art. 32
   D. Art. 39

5. Under which article can India enter international treaties?
   A. Art. 243
   B. Art. 253 ✅
   C. Art. 356
   D. Art. 368

6. How many experiments did Shukla conduct in space?
   A. 5
   B. 7 ✅
   C. 10
   D. 12

7. Which gender is not part of this context?
   A. Gender equality
   B. Woman representation
   C. Not relevant
   D. Nationalism

8. One big benefit of Ax‑4 mission: seasoned crew-ground coordination for Gaganyaan. Which domain does this relate to?
   A. Judiciary
   B. Space diplomacy & joint mission ops ✅
   C. Domestic policy
   D. Cultural policy

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🧠 Exam Relevance

• Polity & Governance: Constitutional provisions for science, international agreements & federal funding.

• Science & Tech: Human spaceflight, microgravity research, private sector in space.

• Economy & Development: ₹548 cr investment importance, future of aerospace economy.

• Current Affairs: International cooperation in space, diplomatic science partnerships.

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