logo
Ax-4 crew completes launch rehearsal ahead of historic SpaceX mission featuring India's Shubhanshu Shukla

Ax-4 crew completes launch rehearsal ahead of historic SpaceX mission featuring India's Shubhanshu Shukla

India Gazettea day ago

Washington D.C. [US], June 9 (ANI): The Ax-4 crew and SpaceX teams have successfully completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of their scheduled liftoff on Tuesday, June 10, SpaceX said in a post on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
'The Ax-4 crew and SpaceX teams completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of liftoff on Tuesday,' SpaceX stated.
Representing India is Ax-4 mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, announced by Axiom Space on their X handle, alongside acknowledgement from ISRO.
The mission is targeted for launch at 8:22 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 10, from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
The International Space Station also acknowledged the upcoming mission on their official X handle.
According to Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission will 'realise the return' to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While this is the second human spaceflight mission in history for these countries, it will be the first time all three will execute a mission aboard the International Space Station. This historic mission highlights how Axiom Space is redefining access to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally.
The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space.
Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.
Slawosz Uznanski, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, will be the second Polish astronaut since 1978.
Tibor Kapu will be the second national Hungarian astronaut since 1980.
Peggy Whitson will command her second commercial human spaceflight mission, adding to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American astronaut.
Ax-4 will be the second commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-4 mission stands as a beacon of opportunity for India, Poland, and Hungary, each poised to leverage this mission to advance their national space programs.
The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date, underscoring the mission's global significance and collaborative nature to advance microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO), per Axiom Space.
The mission emphasises scientific portfolios led by the U.S., India, Poland (in partnership with ESA), and Hungary. It aims to boost participation in these countries by involving diverse stakeholders, showcasing the value of microgravity research, and fostering international collaboration.
The studies will enhance global knowledge in human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences, demonstrating the space research capabilities of the crew's home nations. (ANI)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Prayers Offered In Lucknow For Success Of Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 Mission
Prayers Offered In Lucknow For Success Of Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 Mission

NDTV

time2 hours ago

  • NDTV

Prayers Offered In Lucknow For Success Of Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 Mission

Lucknow: Special prayers were offered in Lucknow on Tuesday for the success of the thrice-postponed lift-off of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, on board SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket, that would propel him into history as the first Indian to step onto the International Space Station. Lucknow-born Shukla's much-awaited Axiom-4 space mission was originally scheduled on May 29 but deferred to June 8 and then for June 10 before being rescheduled for June 11. The space voyage of the 39-year-old IAF officer, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, will also mark India's return to human spaceflight after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey. While the IAF officer's family offered special prayers on Tuesday, a day that coincided with the fifth and last 'Bada Mangal' celebrations, unique to state capital, the City Montessori School's (CMS) Aliganj branch, where the Lucknow boy studied, organised a 'yagna' to pray for the success of the space mission. The yagna was attended by CMS manager Dr Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, school president Dr Roger Kingdon, Shukla's parents Asha and Shambhu Shukla, his elder sisters Shuchi and Nishi Mishra, along with teachers. Several students, many of whom appeared "inspired enough to dream of becoming an astronaut", were also present. "We teach science but we also concede that there is some invisible power which guides us towards bigger goals. The space odyssey of one of our brightest alumnus is surely one such moment of great significance, not only for us but for the country and that is why we held special prayers and performed a yagna to ensure that the blessings of the universe are with him (Shukla)," Dr Kingdon told PTI. Cutouts of Shukla in his astronaut suit has dominated his Lucknow home, like at many other places in the city. About 15 large hoardings have been erected in several parts of the state capital to congratulate the astronaut ahead of his historic mission. "We are frequently getting visitors or calls, the main attraction of all being the space voyage of our son," the astronaut's father, Shambhu Shukla, told PTI. IAF officer's mother Asha said that her son, who has been training in Houston over the last several months and is now in quarantine ahead of his mission, regularly calls them up. "There is one thing about my has accomplished everything he has set his mind to and that is why I am relaxed ahead of his space flight," she said. Shukla is also part of India's Gaganyaan, country's first manned mission scheduled for 2027. On Wednesday, when Shukla takes off, residents of Lucknow would be out there cheering for the local boy who, as a kid, was fascinated by fighter planes. A life-size ISS Cupola replica, 'Defy Gravity' photo booth and telescope, mock-up of a Mission Control Centre, space-themed live music, art installations and STEM kiosks and space fashion parade would be among the highlight of the launch party in Lucknow on Wednesday, CMS's Rishi Khanna said. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission comprises Commander Peggy Whitson, pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and specialists Tigor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland. The 14-day mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary.

7 experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will do in space. Explained in visuals
7 experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will do in space. Explained in visuals

India Today

time2 hours ago

  • India Today

7 experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will do in space. Explained in visuals

India's Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three foreign astronauts, will take off for the International Space Station (ISS) from Florida, US, on Wednesday evening. He is the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in 44 years. But what will he do in space?As per the mission website, Shukla will conduct seven research experiments for different Indian agencies during his 14-day Today's OSINT team visually illustrates how each of the seven experiments suggested by Indian principal investigators will help future space exploration:MYOGENESIS It is a known fact that astronauts suffer muscle loss in space. That makes long missions and microgravity research a real challenge. Take Nasa astronaut Sunita William's space odyssey for example. After her 9.5-month stint aboard the ISS, her legs and back muscles were noticeably weaker when she touched of India's research missions with Axiom-4 is to identify what is responsible for muscle atrophy in microgravity and then focus on therapy-based strategies. The study aims to help prevent muscle loss in astronauts during long space research is suggested by Indian principal investigators from the Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine and can impact the treatment of muscle-related diseases and conditions related to ageing or prolonged SEEDS IN ISS Six crop seed varieties will be studied to assess the effects of spaceflight, with subsequent growth for preferred traits and genetic analysis. Kerala Agricultural University's proposed research seeks to explore how crops can be cultivated in space for future exploration TARDIGRADES Joining astronaut Shubhanshu will be another tough companion, Tardigrades or water bears — tiny, segmented micro-animals with eight legs tipped with claws or Voyager Tardigrades experiment, one of seven Indian experiments on the Axiom-4 mission, is set to study these resilient organisms under creatures endure extreme conditions — dehydration, temperatures, pressures, radiation, and space vacuum — by entering a dormant state called cryptobiosis, where metabolic functions nearly the molecular mechanisms of their resilience could inform future space exploration, like during long-duration missions like trips to Mars or lunar settlements and lead to innovative biotechnology applications on MICROALGAE Growth, metabolism, and genetic activity of three strains of microalgae on the ISS will be studied to understand how microalgae grow in space, where there's no SEEDS This Isro experiment will examine the effects of spaceflight on the germination and growth of crop seeds. Post-mission, seeds will be cultivated across multiple generations to study changes in genetics, microbial load, and nutritional ON ISS One more intriguing experiment is with cyanobacteria — water bacteria known for their ability to photosynthesise. Isro, in association with the European Space Agency (ESA), will investigate two strains of cyanobacteria to learn about their growth rates, cellular responses, and biochemical activity in DISPLAYS Have you ever thought about what happens when astronauts use screens in zero gravity?Shukla will research the physical and cognitive effects of using computer screens in space. This study will focus on simple actions like pointing at things on the screen, how the eyes fixate, and how quickly the eyes move. It'll also check how these actions might influence an astronaut's stress levels and overall InMust Watch

7 cool experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will do in space!
7 cool experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will do in space!

Hans India

time2 hours ago

  • Hans India

7 cool experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will do in space!

Seven experiments Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct during his 14-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS). Each experiment is crucial for advancing India's space research and preparing for future long-duration space missions. 1. Myogenesis Agency: Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine Focus: Muscle loss in space Muscle fiber shrinking Microgravity = less resistance = muscle atrophy Targeting therapies to protect astronaut muscles 2. Crop Seeds in Space Agency: Kerala Agricultural University Focus: Studying six crop varieties Crop seeds → ISS Track growth traits & genetic changes Prepping crops for Moon/Mars farming 3. Voyager Tardigrades Focus: Studying survival mechanisms of water bears Tiny 8-legged creatures Survive extremes using cryptobiosis Future biotech + long-duration space travel resilience 4. Space Microalgae Focus: Growth & metabolism of 3 algae strains Microalgae cells No gravity = unique growth behavior Future role: oxygen, biofuel, food source in space habitats 5. Sprouting Seeds Agency: ISRO Focus: Germination and growth after space exposure Seed to plant → generations on Earth Study gene expression, microbial load Evaluate nutritional changes 6. Cyanobacteria on ISS Agency: ISRO + ESA Focus: Photosynthetic bacteria in space Cyanobacteria Photosynthesis under space conditions Implications for closed-loop life support systems 7. Voyager Displays Focus: Screen usage effects on astronaut cognition Eye movement tracking Pointing, gaze, attention analysis How screen use affects stress & mental well-being Why This Matters: These experiments explore: Health in space (muscles, cognition) Food & sustainability (seeds, algae, cyanobacteria) Biotech breakthroughs (tardigrades, genetic adaptation) India's leap in space biosciences supports future lunar/Mars missions and Earth-bound innovations.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store