UPSC Prelims 2025 question on Microgravity Research Missions

Analysis

I. Axiom-4 – CORRECT: Axiom Mission 4 (Axiom-4) is a private spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS) operated by Axiom Space. Axiom-4 supports microgravity research by carrying experiments related to medicine, materials science, and biology in space conditions. Hence Axiom-4 encourages microgravity research.

II. SpaDeX – CORRECT: SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is an Indian mission to demonstrate autonomous docking. While its primary goal is technological, microgravity effects are often studied during such missions, especially in maneuvering and system validation in orbit. Hence SpaDeX encourages microgravity research.

III. Gaganyaan – CORRECT: Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight program. It aims to send humans into space, where microgravity research is a key scientific objective, especially in life sciences and space medicine. Hence Gaganyaan encourages microgravity research.