Two Indian astronauts, Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, will begin training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) early this month. Shukla will be traveling on a private astronaut mission with Axiom Space Ax-4, while Nair will serve as his backup. This collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NASA, and Axiom Space marks a significant milestone in India’s space endeavors. The training follows a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation between the U.S. and India, aiming for a joint ISS mission. The astronauts have already completed the ISRO’s training program and has also trained at Star City in Russia. The date of the Ax-4 flight is still unknown.

The inclusion of Indian astronauts in ISS missions emphasizes the need for robust and ironed out cybersecurity measures due to increased collaboration and data sharing between multiple space agencies. With sensitive information and mission-critical systems involved, protecting against cyber threats has increased importance. The integration of systems across NASA, ISRO, and private entities like Axiom Space, presents potential vulnerabilities that must be addressed through comprehensive cybersecurity protocols, including secure communication channels, stringent access controls, and continuous monitoring to mitigate risks associated with international cooperation in space missions. It’s important to have international space policy that incorporates cybersecurity protocols among public and private companies.