Ax-4 readiness review today; Shubhanshu Shukla to do 5 additional experiments with Nasa, live events with students
BENGALURU: The
Axiom-4 mission
to the
International Space Station
(ISS), which will be piloted by India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to undergo its mission readiness review on May 21 and slated to launch on June 8.
Confirming this, Dana Weigel, manager, ISS Programme, Nasa, said Tuesday: 'Nasa and
Isro
will host a joint public downlink event to showcase the strength of international collaboration and our shared commitment to expanding access to space. The two agencies will also conduct five joint science investigations in addition to two outreach activities.'
She spoke during a specific interaction to discuss mission readiness.
Adding to this, Sudeesh Balan, project director, Isro, said: 'The seven experiments we had announced earlier are mostly biological and are those proposed by Indian scientists. These will be conducted by Shukla. Aside from these, there will be five experiments in partnership with Nasa on human research programmes. Shukla will be participating in them.
'
Allen Flynt, chief of mission services, Axiom Space, while stating that they 'do carry insurance for a variety of reasons for the mission', refrained from giving the break-up or specifically saying if astronauts are covered.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing?
elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill
Learn More
Undo
Live Event With Students
Elaborating on the public downlink events, Weigel said the details were still being worked out, but said there will be a live event with astronauts and space agency leadership. The other event she said would be science outreach on two topics: digestion and radiation.
Balan added: 'Some activities are going on. There's a student event where Shukla will interact directly with students from across the country.
Second, the ameature radio technology on ISS, which will be leveraged. The science outreach activity Weigel mentions will be recorded and used extensively even post mission.'
Weigel said the Axiom-4 crew — Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, India's Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary — has already completed their ISS training at the Nasa Johnson Space Center last month, preparing them to conduct approximately 60 science investigations in partnership with the station national lab.
New Name For Dragon
Sudeesh Balan, project director, Isro, highlighted the rigorous preparation undertaken by the crew, explaining they have 'undergone a rigorous training mission specific nominal emergency procedures' and 'practiced in various simulators with periodic assessment on physical and psychological' aspects, said the mission has 'generated a lot of interest in India'
'...This opens up new domains associated with the human space programme including space medicine, physiology, biomedical instruments, training and microgravity experiments.
I hope that missions like Ax-4 would motivate our young minds to be passionate about space technology,' Balan said.
SpaceX
's director of Dragon mission management, Sarah Walker, provided technical details about the mission, noting it will utilise a brand-new Dragon spacecraft that will soon receive its nickname from the crew.
'This will mark SpaceX's 53rd Dragon mission, 15th
human spaceflight
mission to the ISS, and 48th trip to the station including both crew and cargo missions. The Falcon-9 booster supporting this launch previously carried Starlink satellites to orbit just weeks ago, demonstrating the rapid progress in rocket reusability,' Walker said.
She emphasised that 'human spaceflight is core to SpaceX's ultimate mission to make life multi-planetary and flying crew safely is always our top priority.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
ISRO prepares Indian cuisine for space; astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to carry ‘aamras,' ‘gajar ka halwa' on Axiom-4 mission
When Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla blasts off into space with the upcoming Axiom-4 mission, he'll be taking a taste of India with him. Shukla, 39, is set to become the first Indian in over four decades to travel to space, and he's taking along some familiar comforts: traditional Indian sweets like aamras and moong dal halwa, specially prepared by ISRO for the journey. These meals, designed by ISRO and DRDO, were originally created for India's Gaganyaan mission but are now being used for international space travel. Carefully vacuum-packed and freeze-dried to withstand the conditions of space, the food is designed to stay fresh, safe, and easy to consume in microgravity. According to Hindustan Times, it wasn't easy getting Indian food approved for the mission. 'Since Indian food is high on spices, he wasn't getting the permission to carry them. But finally, they did allow a few varieties,' Suchi Shukla, Shubhanshu's sister, a science teacher based in Lucknow. 'He is carrying moong dal halwa, gajar ka halwa, aamras and rice. He is excited to share the delicacies with the other astronauts too. He is a fitness freak and highly into yoga, so I am sure he will balance it.' A post shared by The Whatup (@thewhatup) Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shubhanshu Shukla – known by his call sign 'Shuks' – has spent his life preparing for moments like this. A seasoned fighter pilot with more than 2,000 hours flying aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29, Shukla was chosen in 2019 to be part of India's first astronaut corps for the much-anticipated Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027. He studied at City MontessoISROri School in Lucknow before joining the National Defence Academy. He later earned his M Tech in Aerospace Engineering from IISc Bengaluru, and completed rigorous astronaut training at Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and ISRO's facility in Bengaluru. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government employee, said the family is holding a 'Satyanarayan Swami katha and a hawan' (a Hindu religious ritual) for his safe journey. Shukla is all set to become only the second Indian to pilot a space mission, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma's historic 1984 voyage. The journey to space has hit a few unexpected snags. The Axiom-4 mission was initially slated for lift-off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 10. However, unfavourable weather conditions forced a 24-hour delay, pushing the launch to Wednesday, June 11. Now, there's been another hold-up due to a technical fault. A leak of liquid oxygen (LOx), a critical cryogenic fuel, was discovered during routine inspections of the Falcon 9 rocket after its static fire test. As of now, no new launch window has been confirmed. The countdown continues, with the mission team working to resolve the issue before announcing when the spacecraft will finally head for the stars.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
7 essential facts about NASA satellites that students can't miss
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA )'s flotilla of satellites orbiting Earth and deep space is far more sophisticated than most people realise. These technological spectacles aren't just scanning skies and taking mind-boggling pictures; they're rewriting science and human understanding of space. These satellites are protecting our planet and unlocking cosmic mysteries far beyond. Here are 7 extraordinary capabilities that showcase the incredible ingenuity of modern space technology that students can't afford to miss. Laser highways in space replace traditional radio communication Whilst most people assume satellites communicate through radio waves, NASA's most advanced spacecraft are switching to laser technology for data transmission. These optical communication systems can beam information to Earth at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional radio systems, whilst providing crystal-clear signal quality that doesn't degrade over vast distances. The technology works by encoding data into pulses of laser light, creating what scientists call "optical highways" through space. This breakthrough allows satellites to transmit high-resolution images and complex scientific data in minutes rather than hours, revolutionising how quickly we can access information from the cosmos. Earth's gravity secrets revealed through microscopic measurements NASA's GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites possess an almost supernatural ability to detect the tiniest changes in Earth's gravitational field. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo These twin spacecraft can measure gravitational variations as small as one part in a billion, effectively "weighing" different regions of our planet from space. This remarkable sensitivity allows scientists to track invisible phenomena with unprecedented precision. When ice sheets melt in Greenland or groundwater depletes in drought-stricken regions, these satellites detect the resulting gravitational changes before the effects become visible on the surface. The data has transformed our understanding of climate change, revealing that Earth loses approximately 150 billion tonnes of ice annually from its polar regions. Geostationary guardians that never sleep Some NASA satellites perform an incredible balancing act, appearing to hover motionlessly above specific points on Earth's surface. These spacecraft achieve this seemingly impossible feat by matching Earth's rotational speed in what's called a geostationary orbit, positioned precisely 35,786 kilometres above the equator. This strategic positioning allows continuous monitoring of weather patterns, natural disasters, and atmospheric conditions over the same geographical region 24 hours a day. Weather forecasters rely on these stationary sentinels to track hurricane development, monitor volcanic eruptions, and provide early warnings for severe weather events that save countless lives. Cosmic symphony: capturing the sounds of space Space may be a vacuum where sound cannot travel, but NASA satellites have found ingenious ways to "hear" the cosmos. These spacecraft detect electromagnetic waves, solar wind interactions, and planetary magnetic field fluctuations, then convert these signals into audible frequencies that humans can hear. The results are both haunting and beautiful, from the ethereal whistles of Jupiter's magnetosphere to the crackling static of solar storms. These cosmic sounds aren't just curiosities; they provide crucial data about space weather, helping scientists predict potentially dangerous solar activity that could disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems on Earth. Planet hunting through stellar shadows NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) employs a brilliantly simple yet sophisticated technique to discover worlds beyond our solar system. The satellite monitors hundreds of thousands of stars simultaneously, watching for minute decreases in brightness that occur when planets pass in front of their host stars. These tiny dips in starlight, often less than 1% brightness reduction, reveal not only the existence of exoplanets but also their size, orbital period, and atmospheric composition. TESS has already discovered thousands of potentially habitable worlds, fundamentally changing our understanding of how common planetary systems are throughout the galaxy. Earth's disappearing atmosphere captured in real time NASA satellites have made the startling discovery that Earth's atmosphere is gradually leaking into space, with hydrogen and helium atoms escaping at rates measurable from orbit. This atmospheric escape occurs primarily from the upper atmosphere, where solar radiation provides enough energy for light gases to break free from Earth's gravitational pull. Whilst this process occurs over geological timescales and poses no immediate threat, understanding atmospheric loss helps scientists predict long-term climate evolution and study how other planets may have lost their atmospheres. The research has particularly important implications for understanding Mars's transformation from a potentially habitable world to the arid planet we see today. Robotic mechanics in the void Some of NASA's most advanced satellites are equipped with sophisticated robotic arms and specialized instruments capable of performing delicate operations in the harsh environment of space. These mechanical marvels can capture defunct satellites, remove dangerous space debris, and even perform repairs on other spacecraft—all whilst travelling at thousands of kilometres per hour. The technology represents a crucial step towards sustainable space exploration, as the growing problem of space debris threatens future missions. These robotic systems can extend satellite lifespans, clear orbital pathways, and potentially salvage valuable equipment that would otherwise be lost forever. Rewriting cosmic history Perhaps most remarkably, satellites like the Hubble Space Telescope have fundamentally altered our understanding of the universe itself. By capturing images of galaxies billions of light-years away, essentially looking back in time, these instruments have helped determine that the universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old and expanding at an accelerating rate. This research earned multiple Nobel Prizes and revealed the existence of dark energy, a mysterious force comprising roughly 70% of the universe. Each deep-space image collected by these satellites represents a time machine, showing us how galaxies formed and evolved over cosmic history. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
33 minutes ago
- First Post
Step-by-step guide to how Sudhanshu Shukla will go from launchpad to ISS
The launch of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission was delayed due to a leak in SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. Once launched, the mission involves a step-by-step process—from fuelling and liftoff to stage separation, orbital manoeuvres, and final docking with the International Space Station. read more Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian aboard the International Space Station. After much anticipation, the launch of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission has been delayed once again due to a liquid oxygen leak in SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. The mission, which was scheduled to lift off on Tuesday, June 10, was set to carry Shukla and three others to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and mission specialists Tigor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. SpaceX said it is 'standing down' to fix the issue and will announce a new launch date once repairs are complete and the launch range is ready. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's a simple breakdown of how the launch and docking process works: The launch takes place from NASA's historic Launch Complex 39A in Florida—the same site from where Neil Armstrong began his journey to the Moon. About 35 minutes before liftoff, fueling begins after clearance from the Launch Director. The Falcon-9 is filled with supercooled liquid oxygen and refined kerosene (RP-1). At T-minus 5 minutes, Dragon—the spacecraft that carries the crew—switches to internal power. As the countdown hits zero, the rocket's nine Merlin engines ignite, and Falcon-9 lifts off. Within just over a minute, the rocket breaks the sound barrier. Around 57 seconds in, it passes through 'Max Q,' the moment of highest pressure on the rocket. About 2.5 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's first stage shuts down and separates. It then heads back to Earth and lands upright on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, the second stage ignites to push Dragon further into orbit. Roughly 10 minutes after launch, Dragon separates from the second stage and begins flying independently. It opens its nose cone to deploy navigation tools and prepare for docking. The spacecraft doesn't head straight to the ISS—it performs a series of calculated engine burns over 20 to 24 hours to gradually match the ISS's orbit. Once near the station, Dragon pauses at several checkpoints before making its final approach. After docking, ground teams run safety checks to ensure no leaks. Only after the pressure is stabilised are the hatches opened, allowing the crew to board the ISS. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
