India, July 1 -- The recent Axiom-4 mission, featuring group captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force as pilot, is far more than a symbolic gesture for India. It represents an important and strategic stepping stone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)'s ambitious Gaganyaan manned spaceflight programme. It is also a firm indication that India is now ready to move onto a more mature space programme.

The Axiom-4 mission allows Isro to bridge the gap between extensive ground-based training and invaluable real-world experience, which is critical to the plans to send Indian gaganyatris into orbit.

Over the last few decades, Isro has emerged as a global leader in cost-effective satellite launches and interplanetary missio...