India’s first astronaut in more than four decades returned to Earth on Tuesday, after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station carrying out science experiments.
Shubhanshu Shukla, a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, was launched to the orbiting laboratory on June 27 as part of the private Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) by Axiom Space.
The crew, including veteran Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson and European astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, undocked from the station on Monday.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying them splashed down off the coast of California shortly after 1.30pm GST.
Landmark mission for India
Mr Shukla is the first Indian astronaut to fly to space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
While India’s Isro space agency continues to work on its astronaut programme, the Gaganyaan mission, Mr Shukla’s flight on a commercial mission allowed the country to fast-track its human space flight experience.
Anna Hazlett, founder of AzurX, a UAE-based space consultancy and investment firm, told The National in an earlier interview that such missions reflect the growing importance of public-private partnerships in space flight.
“Private space companies like Axiom Space are transforming human space flight, allowing nations without ISS partnerships to send astronauts to orbit,” she said.
“This model democratises space access, accelerates national space ambitions and fosters global collaboration. It helps create a more diverse space economy, which is what the new space sector is all about.”
Mr Shukla is one of four Indian astronauts selected by Isro for the Gaganyaan programme.
Science work in space
He carried out experiments during this mission, including research focused on microalgae. He deployed sample bags containing different strains of the tiny organisms and recorded their development in a zero-gravity environment.
Microalgae are seen as promising for future deep space missions, as they can provide oxygen and nutrient-rich food in closed environments.
Another experiment involved studying how plant genes behave in microgravity. This research could help astronauts to grow more resilient crops on the Moon, Mars or in space stations.
The team also worked on space medicine research, including cardiovascular monitoring and muscle performance.
The crew carried out a total of 30 experiments throughout the mission.
Mr Shukla spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the space station, telling him about the challenges of adapting to space, including how basic tasks can be difficult.
“Sleeping is a big challenge … I had to tie my feet down to stay in place,” he said.
He also described how Earth appears from orbit, saying: “From space, one cannot see borders. India appears truly grand, very big, much bigger than on a map.”
Mr Shukla also made video calls to schoolchildren in India, sharing his journey and encouraging them to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Safe return
The SpaceX Dragon capsule used parachutes to slow its descent before landing in the Pacific Ocean. Live coverage of the splashdown was shown on Axiom Space’s website and SpaceX’s official stream.
The astronauts have undergone standard medical checks before their expected return to their respective countries. Mr Shukla is expected to receive a hero’s welcome in India.
What’s next for India?
India's Gaganyaan mission aims to send astronauts to low-Earth orbit aboard a domestically-developed spacecraft.
The first crewed flight is scheduled for this decade, but the programme has faced several delays.
The country is increasing its investment in space, with successful recent missions such as Chandrayaan-3, the lunar lander that touched down on the Moon in 2023, and Aditya-L1, a solar observatory that launched the same year.
Mr Shukla’s mission aboard Ax-4 aimed to complement these efforts, enabling India to gain experience while preparing to establish its own long-term human space flight capability.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
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