World Space Week: How India Is Emerging As Global Power In Space Exploration | Key Achievements

World Space Week 2026 is being celebrated from October 4 to 10. Officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, the week commemorates the contribution of space and technology to the benefit of humanity. During this week, schools, clubs, and museums hold science exhibitions and stargazing nights to explore different aspects of space. As of today, more than 80 countries have put satellites into orbit, while people from over 50 of these countries have travelled to space.

The official theme for this year is "Rocket Revolution", highlighting the transition from government-led space programmes to commercial launches and startups. To celebrate the entire week, today's Google Doodle features the gigantic Carina Nebula, one of the largest such formations visible from Earth.

Image Credit: Social Media

First Human To Go To Space

Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel to outer space. On April 12, 1961, strapped inside the Vostok 1 capsule, he completed one orbit around Earth during a 108-minute flight. His mission established that humans could survive launch, weightlessness, and re-entry, giving the Soviet Union an early victory in the Cold War space race.

Six years later, on October 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty came into force, establishing that space should be explored peacefully and that no country could claim it as territory. After that, NASA's Apollo 11 mission landed the first humans on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon's surface.

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Who Can Go To Space?

Historically, going to space was limited to elite military pilots and researchers selected by national space agencies. But today, anyone who meets the required physical and psychological health parameters can travel to space, provided they have the necessary backing and funding.

- People need 20/20 vision

- Blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg

- They must be between 62 and 75 inches tall to safely fit into the spacecraft

- Psychological screening is also conducted to assess how a person handles pressure situations, isolation, and teamwork during a crisis.

India's Contribution To Space

With the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India has emerged as one of the global powers in space exploration. Through lunar, Martian, and space exploration missions, India is now strengthening its space launch capabilities.

Image Credit: Reuters

Major achievements include:

1. In 2023, with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India became the first nation to land near the lunar south pole.

2. India entered Martian orbit on its very first attempt in 2014 with the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan).

3. ISRO launched Aditya-L1 in 2023 to study the Sun’s corona and solar winds.

4. ISRO developed PSLV and LVM3 rockets, setting a world record in 2017 by launching 104 satellites on a single rocket.

5. Currently, India is preparing for its first crewed mission, Gaganyaan, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit.

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