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India's ₹500 crore investment in the Axiom-4 mission covers not just one, but two astronauts.
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India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
What are ‘water bears', tiny animals accompanying astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to space? They can survive extreme temperatures, radiation and…, are found in…
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is taking tardigrades or water bears abord the ISS. (File) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla was poised to become the second Indian to step aboard the International Space Station (ISS). But the historic Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled to carry Shukla and three others to space, was delayed once again on Tuesday (June 10) to fix a leak in the SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. According to reports, Shubhanshu Shukla will have some unique passengers alongside him when the Axiom-4 mission gets a new launch date from SpaceX, tiny microscopic animals known as Tardigrades or 'water bears', which will be experimented upon aboard the ISS. The experiments are aimed at strengthening India's future space endeavors, including the ambitious Indian Space Station and the Gaganyaan mission, as per officials. What are Tardigrades and why were they chosen for this mission? Tardigrades, aka water bears or moss piglets, are a species of eight-legged segmented micro-animals that are known for the ability to survive in the harshest of environments, including high temperatures, and the extreme radiation and vacuum of outer space. First described by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who called these creatures 'Kleiner Wasserbär' or 'little water bear', tardigrades are known to have existed on Earth for nearly 600 million years, and have survived all five major mass extinction events the have occurred in the planet's history so far. According to scientists, the experiments are aimed to understand how tardigrades survive in the harsh environment of space, so strategies can be developed to keep astronauts safe during long-duration space missions. An adult tardigrade usually measures about 0.5 mm in length, and has four pairs of legs, with with 4 to 6 claw-like appendages on each leg. These creatures have a unique mouth-like appendage that helps the feed on plant cells, algae and other small invertebrates, by sucking out their nutrients. Where are tardigrades found? Tardigrades are extremophiles, which means they are able to survive in every possible biosphere found on Earth, including mountaintops, the deep sea, tropical rainforests, and even the Antarctic region. As per scientists, tardigrades are among the most resilient animals known to man, able to survive extreme conditions such as extreme temperatures of as low as -272.95 degrees Celsius and as high as 150 degrees Celsius. These hardy creatures can also withstand extreme ultraviolet radiation of outer space, and pressure of up to 40,000 kilopascals (equivalent to the pressure experienced at a depth of 4 km below the sea surface). Scientists believe that a better understanding of the tardigrade physiology could have wide-ranging applications for the betterment of humankind, including developing more resilient crops, powerful sunscreens, and the preservation of human tissue and organs for transplant. Tardigrades also produce intrinsically disordered proteins in response to desiccation, which forms a glass-like matrix that protects cytoplasm from damage during desiccation, as per scientists.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Why was Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Sudhanshu Shukla delayed
The Axiom-4 space mission with Indian Air Force Group Captain Sudhanshu Shukla was postponed moments before its scheduled launch on June 10 2025. The mission was first postponed due to bad weather at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The postponement turned out to be extended after the discovery of a leak of liquid oxygen when engineers undertook a routine engine test. Liquid oxygen is a critical component of the rocket fuel system and a leak could cause substantial issues at launch time. In order to prevent risks the team interrupted the launch and repaired the problem before they continued. Safety inspections are a top priority for space missions because even the smallest technical malfunction will become a serious risk. There will be a new release date once all systems are cleared. What is the Axiom-4 mission The Axiom-4 mission is a private space mission that has been organized by Axiom Space collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. It will see four astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) for scientific research and international cooperation. Indian Air Force Group Captain Sudhanshu Shukla is a part of the crew, which is a matter of pride for India. The team will ride SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The mission belongs to a developing trend of commercial space travel, blending public agency assistance with private ingenuity. It also creates new opportunities for nations such as India to be involved in human spaceflight missions beyond their domestic programs. Why was the delay occurred in the launch by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo The launch was delayed after engineers discovered a leak of liquid oxygen (LOX) during a final 'hot fire' engine test. This pre-launch test involves firing the rocket's engines briefly to ensure they are functioning properly. The leak was found in the rocket's propulsion section, which holds key fuel and engine systems. Any fault in this area could be dangerous during liftoff. The team halted the mission immediately for safety. Such problems, as few as they are, are considered very seriously. It's safer to postpone a mission than to endanger the rocket for damage or the crew on board during flight or launch. What is liquid oxygen and why is it used Liquid oxygen, or LOX, is a highly cold and energetic oxidizer employed in rockets. Fuel in the rocket uses oxygen for combustion. The engines on Earth can burn oxygen taken from the air, space does not have an atmosphere, so rockets have to bring their own. LOX is mixed with fuels such as kerosene or hydrogen to provide the high-pressure burn required to take off. It is stored at very low temperatures—approximately minus 183 degrees Celsius—so it remains liquid. This makes it extremely efficient, but very risky if mishandled. LOX is an important component used in contemporary rocket launches worldwide. Why is a LOX leak dangerous Liquid oxygen is extremely reactive and can be dangerous even with a small leak. Liquid oxygen can create frost buildup, pressure unevenness, and, upon contact with fuel or some materials, it could initiate fire or explosion. In a rocket, temperatures and pressures are extreme, and even a minor malfunction in LOX can be disastrous. That's why the engineers halted the Axiom-4 mission the moment they detected the leak. LOX handling demands strict safety measures, and crews need to be 100% certain the system is sealed, stable, and secure before proceeding with launch operations. What follows next Following the leak detection, SpaceX engineers halted the mission to correct the malfunction and conduct further safety tests. These tests are imperative to make the rocket safe and reliable for the astronauts on board. A fresh launch date will be fixed after everything is cleared. The mission can be postponed by days or possibly weeks, but safety first. For now, the team is concentrating on fixing the issue in full before going ahead. It's a standard procedure in space travel, where every minute detail needs to be checked twice. The astronauts, including Shukla, are still in training and standby for the rescheduled launch. Why this mission is important Axiom-4 mission is a milestone moment for India and the future of international space collaboration. Despite the setback, it's a moment of pride as Shukla becomes part of the elite group of Indians to travel into space. His participation in the mission signifies India's increasing capabilities and presence in the space industry. It also opens the door for more public-private collaborations and international manned missions. Science is not the only purpose of this flight but inspiration, too. Millions of Indians look on, particularly schoolchildren, who might one day envision themselves as astronauts. The mission will proceed soon, carrying those aspirations on its wings.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Decision on new Ax-4 launch date expected soon
Decision on new Ax-4 launch date expected soon FLORIDA: SpaceX, which appears to have fixed the liquid oxygen (LOX) leak it had detected in the Falcon-9, is expected to conduct a crucial test to validate the performance by mid-day on June 12 here. And, depending on the findings of the test, a new date for the launch of Axiom-4 is expected to be finalised. Axiom-4 mission partners, led by SpaceX, held two meetings on June 11 where details about the corrective actions were discussed. Sources told TOI that SpaceX decided to carry out the test and take a call on whether launch could happen as early as June 13 or 14. No final decision on this has been taken yet. Partners met at least twice on June 12, once in the morning before the test was carried out and then once after the test was complete. Sources said the test will involve flowing of 'low temperature fuel' to check for leaks. 'The test is expected to take a couple of hours and there will be a meeting soon after the test is complete. A final decision on the new launch date is expected to be taken there. As of now SpaceX is looking at two options, June 13 and 14, and weather appears to look OK. However, the weather will also be monitored closely,' a source said.
