India Post issues commemorative stamps on human space programme

Bengaluru: The Department of Posts on Sunday released two commemorative postage stamps and souvenir sheets to celebrate the remarkable progress of India’s human space programme, led by ISRO.

K Prakash, Chief Postmaster General of the Karnataka Postal Circle, released the commemorative stamps in the presence of Dr V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS).

The commemorative postage stamps and souvenir sheets visually capture India’s journey from early achievements, such as the launch of Aryabhata, to its future ambitions in human spaceflight and orbital infrastructure. They also reflect India’s rich scientific heritage, symbolised by landmarks such as the Jantar Mantar, India Post said.

“These stamps capture India’s evolution from its early beginnings under Dr Vikram Sarabhai to become a global space power. They highlight major achievements, such as Chandrayaan-3, and the upcoming human spaceflight mission- Gaganyaan, symbolising the country’s growing technological strength and ambition,” a senior India Post official said at the event.

One souvenir sheet showcases the Gaganyaan crew module alongside future aspirations like Bharatiya Antariksha Station, reflecting India’s vision of establishing a space station by 2035.

The other sheet draws inspiration from the Axiom 4 mission machine, honouring Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and beautifully connects India’s ancient astronomical heritage with modern scientific machines, he said.

According to officials, the mission patch created by designer Manish Tripathi for Shukla’s historic Axiom 4 mission spaceflight was part of the stamp released on Sunday, on the occasion of the International Day of Human Space Flight.

Addressing the gathering, Group Captain Shukla said that space missions or explorations have the potential to transform a nation.

Recalling ISRO’s successful missions over the years and his association with the space agency, he said, “Hopefully very soon, we will be able to launch astronauts on our own rocket and our own launch vehicle to space, and bring them back safely.”

“Last year, when I was in the US, training for this (Axiom-4) mission to go to space, there was a story you could carry with you in the form of a mission patch, which is one of the stamps released today,” he said.

“We gave a lot of thought to what story we should carry into space. If you look at it, a theme connecting this patch is, where India started in terms of space missions, the first satellite, Aryabhatta, which went to space and where we are today, when we are pursuing Mission Gaganyaan,” he said.

Shukla called on the students and youngsters with a message that “sky was never the limit, not for me, not for you, and not for Bharat.”

ISRO Chairman Narayanan lauded the service of the postal department for the nation during his address. Listing ISRO’s achievements and expertise over the years, he said, “Today, building a satellite is like a child’s play for my colleagues at ISRO... When it comes to launch vehicle capability, the LVM-3 can currently carry a payload of up to 10,000 kg.

We are working on a next-generation launch vehicle capable of taking 30,000 kg and 80,000 kg into low earth orbit.”