human spaceflight

Elon Musk's 2001 trip to Russia to buy used rockets for SpaceX failed, prompting him to build his own. This pivotal moment, before SpaceX's official founding, shifted his strategy from acquisition to in-house manufacturing. The initial setback ultimately led to SpaceX's revolutionary approach to cost-effective spaceflight and its current industry leadership.

Annie Easley began as a ‘human computer’, performing complex calculations by hand before electronic systems took over. She later became a programmer at NASA, contributing to propulsion and energy research. Her career reflects adaptability and a lasting impact on modern space exploration.

Astronaut Angad Pratap's MTech thesis at IISc proposes a human fallback for compromised spacecraft navigation during re-entry. His research demonstrates astronauts can manually guide a capsule using simplified bank-angle control, a system already being tested for India's Gaganyaan mission.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket experienced a payload deployment failure, impacting its ability to place a satellite into the correct orbit. While not directly affecting NASA's immediate Artemis III mission, this setback introduces uncertainties for future lunar operations and the development of Blue Origin's human landing system, potentially delaying long-term Moon presence goals.

Pakistan astronauts Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are selected for China's space program. They will train in China. One astronaut may join a future mission to the Tiangong space station. This marks a significant step for Pakistan's space exploration. It highlights growing cooperation between China and Pakistan. China's space program welcomes international participation.

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman captured a rare "Earthset" during the mission's lunar flyby, showing our planet disappearing behind the Moon. The footage, taken from deep space, highlights the Moon's surface as Earth shrinks to a crescent and vanishes. This once-in-a-lifetime view, last seen during the Apollo missions, occurred as the crew passed over the Moon's far side.

Lucknow-born fashion designer Manish Tripathi's mission patch for astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom Mission 4 has achieved a unique honor. The design, symbolizing India's space legacy, is now featured on an official commemorative stamp released by the Department of Posts. This marks a significant cultural recognition, bridging space exploration and Indian design.

Veteran Russian cosmonaut Denis Matveev revealed conducting a SARS virus-related experiment in space in 2022 and training four Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. Matveev, a recipient of the "Hero of the Russian Federation" award, shared his experiences at the Nehru Planetarium during his visit to India.

ISRO and IAM concluded a high-altitude human behaviour simulation near Leh, examining crew psychology under isolation and stress. Bengaluru-based Protoplanet built and operated the infrastructure, creating a confined, low-oxygen environment mimicking space missions. The exercise tested remote coordination, simulated spacewalks, and monitored crew responses to stress, aiding preparations for Gaganyaan and highlighting private sector involvement.

Jonny Kim, a former Navy SEAL with over 100 combat missions, achieved a Doctor of Medicine from Harvard and completed an emergency medicine residency. Selected by NASA in 2017, he later spent approximately 245 days on the International Space Station, conducting experiments and supporting station operations.

Artemis II astronauts recently completed a historic lunar flyby, capturing stunning images of the Moon's far side. They witnessed a rare, extended solar eclipse, offering unique views of the Sun's corona and distant celestial bodies. This mission, the farthest humans have traveled from Earth, paves the way for future lunar exploration and Mars missions.

The stamp features a design inspired by the mission patch worn by Group Captain Shukla during the ISRO-NASA-supported Axiom Mission 4, which launched on June 25, 2025

Isro and IAM are conducting Mission MITRA in Leh, simulating spaceflight stresses to assess human behaviour. The study focuses on crew safety and performance, examining physiological adaptation, psychological resilience, and decision-making under extreme conditions. Findings will inform India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, shifting focus to human readiness.

Isro has successfully conducted the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. This critical test, involving a simulated crew module, validates the parachute system essential for astronaut recovery. The successful test marks a significant milestone, though the overall mission timeline may face further adjustments due to ongoing validations.

Artemis II astronauts have successfully returned to Earth, splashing down near San Diego after a groundbreaking lunar flyby. This 10-day mission tested deep space systems and set a new record for human distance from our planet. The crew's return at incredible speeds marks a significant milestone, paving the way for future lunar landings.

Nasa's Artemis II astronauts have returned a stunning Earthrise image. The crew also photographed the Milky Way. Their lunar flyby marked a significant milestone, reaching a record distance from Earth. The mission included observing a solar eclipse and lunar features. Artemis II is now returning for a splashdown, advancing Nasa's lunar exploration goals.