After losing much of the past two years to Covid-19, India's manned spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, was expected to kick up to high gear in the new year in order to meet its ambitious goals. The January 4 announcement by the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), that the government had ordered an unmanned test launch of the system by India's 75th Independence Day on August 15, confirmed as much.
Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in August 2018 the government’s intention to put an Indian crew into orbit with funding to boot, there's been little doubt that India would succeed, just as China did almost two decades ago, in 2003.
The commitment to establish India as only the fourth nation in history with independent human spaceflight capability is widely popular in the country; it is seen as entirely fitting for India's level of economic development and its place in the world order. India's own proven space capabilities, and its arrangements for knowledge transfer from Russia's mature astronautics programme make it more or less a given, subject to delays from inevitable technical gremlins and acts of God such as the pandemic.
The larger, more important questions are about what comes after a triumphant splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Is manned spaceflight aimed at enhancing national pride, or about meeting strategic and economic goals? Will India try to go it alone as an independent space power, or join up with the West? Is space going to be a largely government-led affair, or commercial and private?
Answering these questions would indicate the extent of India's space ambitions and how it plans to realise them. The short answer is that the government has not yet decided. In fact, it has not yet approved the policy framework to develop and weigh its options; the draft has been in circulation since last February. But despite this, India's choices in other high-tech areas, ranging from IT to nuclear energy and aviation, suggest the general direction that things are heading in.
The truth is the ability to safely launch and return human beings from space on one's own is mind-bogglingly expensive and risky. Unlike the ability to build and launch Earth-orbiting satellites and interplanetary robotic probes, it is unclear if there yet is any compelling scientific, economic or military reason to do so. Human spaceflight is, for now, first and foremost a powerful statement of national ambition regarding a country's place in the global power structure.
For this very reason, the founder of India's civil space programme, Dr Vikram Sarabhai, instilled a unique vision that held for half a century. India’s space mission was not a search for national glory, or even science for its own sake. Instead it was a highly frugal but innovative drive for practical applications, such as the remote sensing and telecommunications that have enabled rural India to "leapfrog" over its monumental developmental challenges. This, like many other things in India, is changing, thanks in no small part to its neighbour.
The ability to safely launch and return human beings from space on one's own is mind-bogglingly expensive and risky
China’s official policy, in contrast, is to establish itself as the world’s leading space power by 2050, and it appears determined to achieve this goal despite formidable challenges. The EU and Japan in contrast, despite possessing their own astronaut corps and proven heavy space launch capabilities, believe that they cannot justify the cost of manned spacecraft. Instead, they prefer to partner with Nasa and pay for rides on American and Russian spacecraft. In many ways, this reflects the larger security architecture of European and Japanese dependence on American guarantees.
India, preferring foreign policy autonomy, established its own nuclear deterrent, and has largely fought its wars on its own. This independent capability was the basis for its close strategic co-operation with more powerful states – the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s, and the US since 9/11 in ventures like the China-focused geopolitical grouping known as the "Quad". In both cases, technological co-operation went hand in hand with security ties.
It is clear that, as things stand, India on its own cannot indefinitely sustain a manned space programme on the scale of Americans or the Chinese. But the paradox is that negotiating the kind of participation in manned international space exploration alongside the US that will satisfy India's increasingly nationalistic audience requires the country to develop capabilities of its own that exceed the Europeans, Japanese and Canadians.
To put it another way, India, unlike America and China, seeks full membership in the world’s most elite clubs, but not leadership. This means the ability to launch and recover crews, and the ability to build and launch space station modules. It will mean building infrastructure for long-term space medicine and psychology, materials science, robotics, etc. India’s great advantage is the relatively low cost of its scientific manpower and, increasingly, the quality of its own burgeoning aerospace industry. This is critical because the larger problem the ISRO, like government space programmes all over the world, must face is whether it can possibly compete with the increasingly explosive pace of innovation from the so-called ‘New Space’, i.e. highly disruptive private companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, or New Zealand’s Rocket Lab. Instead, governments seem much better suited to act as regulators, seed investors and scientific resources for the sector. That is indeed the role they have already established for themselves in the civil aviation and cyber sectors.
Fortunately, it seems that New Delhi very much recognises this. In October, the Indian Space Association was launched as an industry body, and Mr Modi signalled his support by personally becoming a member. The ISRO has also moved to subcontract the manufacture of space systems to Indian companies, and to license technology for spinoffs.
More importantly, as with aviation and nuclear energy, agreements between India and the West are opening the road for Indian companies to participate in the global space economy. International media reporting and the growing worldwide respect for the ISRO’s achievements serve as a powerful advertisement for Indian companies in this regard.
In the medium to long run, Information Technology may be the right analogy to understand India’s place in outer space. While China and America have become increasingly walled off from each other in cyberspace, the Indian IT industry’s relationship with Silicon Valley stands in sharp contrast. Although it isn’t a leader in hardware or software innovation, it is deeply integrated as a source of world-class talent and contractors with world beating cost effectiveness. The win-win benefits of this structural relationship have not made Indians any less proud or prosperous, and it is a model that could work just as well in the "New Space" race.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
The%20stats%20and%20facts
%3Cp%3E1.9%20million%20women%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20developing%20cervical%20cancer%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E80%25%20of%20people%2C%20females%20and%20males%2C%20will%20get%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20once%20in%20their%20lifetime%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOut%20of%20more%20than%20100%20types%20of%20HPV%2C%2014%20strains%20are%20cancer-causing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E99.9%25%20of%20cervical%20cancers%20are%20caused%20by%20the%20virus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EA%20five-year%20survival%20rate%20of%20close%20to%2096%25%20can%20be%20achieved%20with%20regular%20screenings%20for%20cervical%20cancer%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2025%20to%2029%20should%20get%20a%20Pap%20smear%20every%20three%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2030%20to%2065%20should%20do%20a%20Pap%20smear%20and%20HPV%20test%20every%20five%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EChildren%20aged%2013%20and%20above%20should%20get%20the%20HPV%20vaccine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
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May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
