Axiom-4 Mission, carrying India's Shubhanshu Shukla, to launch on May 29
Axiom-4 Space Mission, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others, will be launched on May 29, reported PTI news agency, citing a spokesperson.
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Hans India
30 minutes ago
- Hans India
Shubhanshu Shukla enroute to ISS
New Delhi: India's Shubhanshu Shukla scripted history by embarking on a space odyssey along with three others to the International Space Station as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space on Wednesday, 41 years after astronaut Rakesh Sharma's spaceflight onboard a Russian spacecraft. SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm IST carrying the astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission towards the ISS amid cheers from watch parties organised across the world, including at Shukla's City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch. The astronauts began orbiting the Earth 10 minutes after the launch, prompting Shukla to announce India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years. "Kamaal ki ride thi (It was a great ride)," Shukla said soon after the Dragon spacecraft was placed in orbit around the Earth at an altitude of 200 km. The spacecraft is expected to dock at the ISS at 4:30 pm on Thursday, capping a 28-hour journey. The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations. Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, a journey that comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's eight days in orbit as part of the then Soviet Union's Salyut-7 space station in 1984. "Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride," Shukla said. "We are orbiting Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, I have the Indian tricolour embossed on my shoulders that tells me that I am with all of you," he said in Hindi. "It is not just the start of my journey to the ISS but also of India's human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey, let us embark on India's human space programme together," Shukla said. Once in orbit, the astronauts revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule – Grace. "Good things come to those who wait. Godspeed to the maiden crew of Grace," SpaceX told the crew. The astronauts will spend 14 days at the International Space Station and conduct 60 experiments during their mission. In addition to science experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies. Before the flight, Shukla said that he hopes "to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country" and drive innovation. "I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people," he said. Shukla is expected to participate in several outreach events during his stay at the ISS and is also expected to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Hans India
30 minutes ago
- Hans India
Shukla's First Space Message: ‘Orbiting the Earth. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat'
New Delhi: "We are orbiting the Earth. This is the start of India's human space program. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat." These were the first words from orbit spoken by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, shortly after the Axiom-4 mission successfully entered Earth orbit. His message, relayed fr m the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft following separation from the Falcon 9 upper stage, marked a historic return to human spaceflight for India, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's iconic mission in 1984. "Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!" Group Captain Shukla said from space.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Axiom-4 Mission: What Shubhanshu Shukla's trip to ISS means for India's space program
Ten minutes into the launch of the Axiom-4 mission on Wednesday, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made a short statement. He said the lift-off was not just the start of his journey to the International Space Station (ISS), but also the beginning of India's human spaceflight program. His remark might not become as memorable as Rakesh Sharma's reply 41 years ago — when asked by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space, Sharma had said, 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha'. However, Shukla's statement and voyage to the ISS are emblematic of India's steady emergence as a major space faring nation. New era for ISRO Shukla's trip marks the start of a new phase in India's space program, where human spaceflight would become as routine as satellite launches. Although the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) missed its ambitious aim of sending a human into space by 2022, the challenge put new energy into the space agency and forced it to work urgently on the Gaganyaan program. The project involves a series of manned missions to space. Human spaceflight today is not just a matter of adventure. It is a strategic capability that can lead to special advantages for the countries possessing it. Space, including the Moon and potentially Mars, is opening up for scientific and commercial exploitation, and human space travel would be a key capability facilitating this. There is also the apprehension that like nuclear technology, space could also become exclusionary, with only a handful of countries controlling and regulating space travel. ISRO has done well over the last few decades to indigenously develop crucial technologies, and demonstrate capabilities that are at par with the best in the world. With human spaceflight, ISRO would shift into new gears, and build the platform for accomplishing even bigger things in space. It has already announced plans to set up its own space station, and land humans on the Moon by 2040. Notably, Shukla is not riding piggyback on the capabilities of others in the Axiom-4 mission. ISRO has been an equal partner in this entire exercise, starting from the planning stages. This is also evident from the fact that a large ISRO contingent, including Chairman V Narayanan, has been in the United States to see through the last stages of the mission. This team was actively involved in the troubleshooting exercises that were required in the last month during which the mission faced numerous delays due to technical glitches. The learnings from the Axiom-4 mission can be useful for the Gaganyaan program, whose first crewed mission is expected to launch by 2027. Consequential technology Space is going to be one of the few extremely consequential technologies of the future along with others such as artificial intelligence, quantum, and clean energy. These are likely to have huge economic and strategic implications. Unlike other areas where India has a lot of catching up to do, space is one technology domain where the country is among the front-runners. However, to retain that position and press its advantage, India would need to keep competing with countries such as the United States and China. Both of these countries have ambitious plans for space, including a program to send humans to the Moon to build facilities for long-term stays. Space technologies have also opened up opportunities for the private sector to play an active role. There are attractive business opportunities in harnessing and use of space-based technologies. This is being seen in the United States, where the private sector has created a thriving space ecosystem. Despite being one of the leading space powers, India currently accounts for just about 2 per cent of the global space economy. As a result, there is a lot of opportunity for rapid growth. Also, nothing fires the imagination of youngsters like the prospect of space travel. Therefore, India's capabilities in human spaceflight can draw a lot of younger talent to the space sector. This, in turn, can spark innovation, create employment, and boost the economy. While Shukla's trip is a significant achievement, it would have to be utilised to benefit the space program of India.
