The Mystery Behind the Missing Indian Flag on ISS Spacecraft | TDG Explainer

The missing Indian flag on the spacecraft of ISS that berthed at the International Space Station (ISS) has been gaining questions among space enthusiasts and Indian nationals. As India’s presence in space exploration increases globally, many expect it to be flagged by its national emblem.

Let’s explore and understand the reality of why the Indian Flag is missing from International Space missions, policies, and agreements.

Learning About the ISS and Partnerships

International Space Station is a collaborative and multi-national project that is primarily headed by NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). These space agencies share resources, technology, and personnel with the space station, which has been in operation since 20th November 1998.

Although several other nations have been involved in several experiments on the ISS but they are not the owners of the station or docking spacecraft. They rather carry out operations through partnership programs or commercial arrangements.

Role of Flags on ISS Spacecraft

Spacecrafts that tour the ISS generally display the flags of countries producing or operating them. This quite rightfully emphasizes the nation responsible for the design, financing, and operational management of the spacecraft. For instance, American space crafts domestically built such as SpaceX Crew Dragon and Boeing Starliner visibly show the U.S. flag. Russian Soyuz capsules are also decorated with Russian insignias.

International missions, too, like ESA (European Space Agency) missions, carry the respective European nation flags or ESA logo clearly on them. It’s also possible for countries who are contributing astronauts to missions to have their flag represented on mission patches or even on spacesuits but not directly on the actual spacecraft.

Why India’s Flag Does Not Appear

1. India Is Not a Core ISS Partner

India has developed quite extensively in space technology in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is not, however, a partner of the ISS program directly. The United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe are the main ISS partners. Countries that are not in this group, like India, can conduct research on the ISS but do not have any modules or spacecraft affiliated with it.

2. Spacecraft Ownership Counts

Spacecraft docked at the ISS are owned by national space agencies or private companies under government contracts. Since India does not have any spacecraft that it manufactures or operates visiting the ISS at present, its flag is not present on any of the docked spacecraft.

3. India’s Space Collaboration Focuses Elsewhere

India focuses on solo space exploration and partnerships beyond the ISS platform. India’s focus on indigenous space capabilities can be seen through initiatives such as Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, and the solar mission Aditya-L1.

ISRO also works with NASA on certain undertakings such as the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission but not on ISS projects.

4. No Indian Astronauts on ISS Missions Yet

Astronaut participation also engaged in flag placement on spacecrafts. Countries whose astronauts travel on ISS missions have their flags displayed on mission patches, spacesuits, and sometimes on vehicles. Until now, no Indian astronaut has flown to the ISS on NASA or Roscosmos flights. India’s future Gaganyaan mission will have astronauts being launched into space independently.

However, Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams has been to the ISS twice as a NASA astronaut. She was born in the U.S. but has Indian roots.

5. Which Countries Are Part of the ISS Program?

The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint venture of 15 nations by five principal space agencies. NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada) are 5 of them

The European Space Agency (ESA) speaks for 11 member states, namely Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. These nations collectively fund, research, build, and operate the ISS.

Although various other nations have partnered with them in particular experiments, these 15 nations are the prime partners who are charged with running and keeping the station up and running.

Did India Ever Help with ISS Missions?

India has also shared cooperation with ISS missions in space experiments. Indian experiments on board the ISS have been conducted under agreements with other foreign space agencies. However, with Indian contributions not being directly involved with spacecraft operations or astronaut participation, the Indian flag has been less publicly visible.

Will India’s Flag be visible on ISS Spacecraft in the Future?

With the rapid expansion of ISRO, India may someday be a larger participant in human spaceflight missions. Some possible scenarios where the Indian flag might be visible in the future are:

Astronaut Participation: If an Indian astronaut travels to the space station via NASA or SpaceX, the mission patch and spacesuit would likely carry the Indian flag.

Independent Docking Missions: If India designs a spacecraft capable of docking on the ISS, it can carry national symbols.

International Agreements: With more and more collaboration in international space, India can be a part of the space station program or its replacements, with more representation.

India’s Future in Space Exploration

Despite the absence of its flag on the ISS spacecraft, India is a rising power in space exploration. Some of the key future projects are:

Gaganyaan: India’s first manned mission, which will take astronauts to low Earth orbit.

Space Station Plans: ISRO has proposed an independent space station by the 2030s.

Deep Space Missions: The areas of focus in India are lunar, Martian, and interplanetary missions

The non-appearance of the Indian flag on the ISS spacecraft is not a sign of exclusion. But merely a matter of space policy, ownership deal, and global conventions. India continues to forge ahead in space technology and is already fast making its mark to become a human spaceflight giant.

Not very far down the road, Indian astronauts, Indian spacecraft, and even possibly an Indian space station will fly the tricolor of India in outer space.