Shubhanshu Shukla's flight to ISS likely today
New Delhi: After being deferred multiple times, NASA on Tuesday announced a new date for Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's historic flight to the International Space Station.
Shukla is now slated to fly on Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 2:31 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 25, for the launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4," NASA shared in its latest update on the social media platform X.
"The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket," the post added.
The mission had originally been scheduled to lift off on May 29 but has since been rescheduled multiple times, first to June 8, then to June 10, June 11, and most recently June 19.
It was last slated to launch on June 22 but was again delayed following continued assessments of recent repair work on the Russian Zvezda service module's aft section aboard the ISS.
"The targeted docking time is approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, June 26. NASA will provide more details and its coverage information shortly," the US space agency said.
The mission holds historic significance for India. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's flight in 1984.
Shukla will serve as the pilot of the mission alongside Commander Peggy Whitson of the US.
The other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.
Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct pioneering experiments related to food and space nutrition.
These experiments, developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to enhance understanding of sustainable life-support systems, a crucial aspect of future long-duration space travel.
The research will also study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae -- a nutrient-rich, high-potential food source for future space missions.
The experiment will evaluate key growth parameters and examine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in different algal species in space compared to their behaviour on Earth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Axiom-4 mission: Who are crew members Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu?
Four astronauts are ready to embark on a private mission to the International Space Station on Wednesday morning, June 25. This would be the fourth such flight by Axiom Space. Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (L) and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu gesture at relatives as he makes his way to Launch Complex 39A ahead of the Axiom-4 mission, with a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket, lift off at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 24, 2025. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP)(AFP) The launch is expected to take place at 2:31 am Eastern time on Wednesday. The crew is set to ride in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket, which will lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The three people aboard the flight are Indian astronaut Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. They will be led by Peggy Whitson, a retired NASA astronaut who now works for Axiom Space as director of human spaceflight. Who is Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski? Dr. Uznanski-Wisniewski is a scientist and an engineer. He has notably worked at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, in Geneva. This included a stint as an engineer at the Large Hadron Collider. He is also a mission specialist. According to Axion Space, 'Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, of Poland, is a scientist and engineer making significant contributions to the fields of science and space exploration. As a member of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Astronaut Reserve Class of 2022, he emerged from a competitive pool of over 22,500 candidates, securing his place for future missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond.' The website added, 'Sławosz's educational journey began in Łódź, Poland, where he earned his with honors from Łódź University of Technology in 2008. His academic pursuits extended across borders, as he obtained another from Université de Nantes in France and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur from Polytech'Nantes in the same year. His expertise deepened further with a 2011 doctoral dissertation at the University of Aix-Marseille, focusing on radiation-tolerant designs for space applications' Uznanski-Wisniewski's contributions to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva are also well known. He served as a reliability expert and project lead there, and assumed the role of Engineer in Charge for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2018 to 2020. Who is Tibor Kapu? Kapu is also a mission specialist, and a mechanical engineer who has worked across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, logistics and aerospace. According to Axion Space, 'Kapu's educational foundation was laid at Gyula Krúdy High School in Nyíregyháza. He later graduated from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, earning a degree in mechanical engineering, followed by a master's degree, specializing in polymer technology. His expertise extends beyond textbooks, as he contributed to the pharmaceutical and logistical industries, and worked on hybrid car battery development in the automotive industry during his career. His professional journey also took him to Belgium and the United States, where he further honed his skills in advanced technologies.' Kapu remained focused on space radiation protection at an aerospace technology company from 2022 until the beginning of the Hungarian Astronaut Program. He became one of the Hungarians to be selected from a pool of 247 candidates for the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) Astronaut Program in 2023. The website added, 'This prestigious initiative aims to send a Hungarian astronaut to space, enabling world-class scientific experiments and tests aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Kapu's rigorous training encompassed everything from aircraft flying to simulating the space environment, alongside mental and physical endurance tests. His studies delved into space engineering, space health, and spaceflight history, and he actively engaged in scientific experimentation.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
10 minutes ago
- Business Standard
All About Falcon 9, the SpaceX rocket taking Shubhanshu Shukla to ISS
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to embark on a journey to space on Wednesday (June 25) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The mission will lift off aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket at 12:01 pm IST from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The crew is expected to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26 at around 4:30 pm IST. This mission marks only the second time an Indian national has flown to space. The first was in 1984, when Rakesh Sharma made history by traveling to space aboard a Soviet mission. Now, more than four decades later, Shubhanshu Shukla will represent India once again among the stars. What is special about the Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket? The rocket powering today's mission, Falcon 9 Block 5, is a medium-lift, two-stage launch vehicle developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Designed to carry both cargo and humans into space, this version of the Falcon 9 stands out for its reusability. Its first stage is built to return safely to Earth for reuse, dramatically cutting costs and turnaround time between missions. When was Falcon 9 Block 5 first launched? The Block 5 variant of the Falcon 9 made its debut on May 11, 2018, successfully placing Bangladesh's Bangabandhu-1 satellite into orbit. Is Falcon 9 safe for astronauts? Yes, the Falcon 9 Block 5 was certified by Nasa in November 2020 for human spaceflight. It became the first commercial spacecraft system approved for regular crewed missions since the Space Shuttle era began in 1981. To date, it has completed 16 astronaut-carrying missions with a perfect safety record — not a single injury has been reported. What makes Falcon 9 reliable? Equipped with nine main Merlin engines and three backup computers, the rocket can still complete its mission even if one engine fails. As of June 2025, Falcon 9 has launched 438 times, achieving 437 successful missions — a stellar 99.77 per cent success rate, placing it among the most dependable rockets in spaceflight history. How much load can Falcon 9 carry into space? The rocket is capable of delivering up to 22,800 kilograms to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on a single-use flight. When reused, it can carry 18,500 kilograms to LEO, and up to 8,300 kilograms to higher orbits such as Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). What kind of missions does Falcon 9 support? Falcon 9 has played a crucial role in various missions — from launching Nasa's Crew Dragon spacecraft and Starlink satellites to GPS systems and science payloads like DART and PACE. It has also been used for international collaborations, including missions for Isro, such as the upcoming Axiom-4 flight. About Axiom-4 mission Shukla is gearing up for a 14-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where he will conduct various experiments focused on food and nutrition. These scientific activities are part of a collaborative effort between the Isro and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with additional support from Nasa. As part of the mission's engagement activities, the Axiom-4 crew is also scheduled to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and representatives from the space industry. The mission has experienced multiple delays. Initially postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions, subsequent setbacks were caused by leaks detected first on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and later on a Russian module of the ISS. According to Nasa, the current launch window was confirmed following discussions with officials from Roscosmos, focusing on the recent repairs made to the transfer tunnel in the Zvezda service module at the rear of the space station. ALSO READ:
Time of India
10 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Journey Sparks Joy, Pride and Tears in Lucknow and Across India
As India watches with bated breath, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to script history today, becoming the first Indian to travel to space in 40 years. As part of the Axiom-4 Mission to the International Space Station, his launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 12 noon IST is a proud moment not just for the nation, but especially for his hometown Lucknow. Emotional scenes unfold as his proud parents, Shambhu Dayal and Asha Shukla, speak of the immense pride and blessings they shower upon their son. From posters lining Triveni Nagar to neighbors beaming with joy, India's hopes ride high. His mother hails his wife's unflinching support as key to this success. This is not just a spaceflight—it's a tale of dedication, sacrifice, and national pride. Don't miss this inspiring story of dreams taking flight.#shubhanshushukla #axiom4 #indiaspace #lucknowpride #indianastronaut #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews Read More
