Gajar Halwa To Aamras, Here's What Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Is Carrying To ISS
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot and astronaut, is all set to make history by becoming the second Indian to fly into space. He will lift off for the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, June 11, for the Axiom-4 mission aboard the SpaceX rocket and Crew Dragon. He, along with three other astronauts, will launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 8:00 am ET (5:30 pm IST) after being postponed by a day due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Amidst the excitement for the mission, a family member of Shukla revealed that he will be carrying a few Indian delicacies, including aamras, moong dal halwa, and gajar halwa, with him. "Since Indian food is high on spices, he wasn't getting the permission to carry them. But finally, they did allow a few varieties," his sister, Suchi Shukla, a science teacher in Lucknow, said as per NDTV Profit.
"He is a fitness-freak and highly into yoga, so I am sure he will balance it," she added.
Shubhanshu Shukla, or 'Shux' as he is fondly known, will head the ISS aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. He will fly with three other astronauts - Dr Peggy Whitson from the United States as mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists - as part of the Indo-US mission.
As a pilot, Shukla will assist with launching, docking and re-entry procedures. On board the ISS, he will conduct seven India-specific experiments in space. These include studying 'water bears' - microscopic organisms - to understand how living things adapt to microgravity.
The crew will spend up to 14 days conducting over 60 science experiments across areas like materials science, biology and Earth observations. "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)," Axiom Space said on its website.
The 39-year-old is the youngest among the four astronaut designates trained under India's Gaganyaan program. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the IAF on June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream. A decorated Fighter Combat Leader and Test Pilot, he has logged approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience across a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
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Time of India
39 minutes 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.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's wife opens up about his school days, childhood, says he was a...
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla stands on the cusp of history as he prepares to set off on a space odyssey, marking India's return to space flight 41 years after his idol Rakesh Sharma orbited the Earth for eight days as part of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos programme. Lucknow-born Shukla, who goes by the call sign 'Shuks', is part of an ISRO-NASA-supported commercial spaceflight by Axiom Space which is expected to lift off for a 14-day sojourn to the International Space Station from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday evening. However, the highly anticipated Axion 04 mission, which was set to launch on Wednesday after a series of earlier delays, was postponed once again due to a leak detected in the propulsion bay during a pre-launch test. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, Shukla possesses fluency in both English and his native Hindi. His journey began when he was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. As a combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he boasts an impressive 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His ascent to the rank of group captain in March 2024 reflects his exceptional contributions. In a conversation with The Times of India(TOI) just days before the scheduled launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Kamna offered a heartfelt perspective on the journey. According to the TOI report, his wife Kamna, shared that Shubhanshu's dream of going to space began in 2020. She remembered that it was early in 2020 when the possibility of Shukla going to space began to feel real. At the time, one of the key requirements for the Gaganyaan mission was being a test pilot—something that applied to a very small, close-knit group. 'One of the criteria for Gaganyaan aspirants was that they had to be test pilots. It's such a small community that we were elated, because whoever it may be, he would be known to us. That small idea has become an incredible reality now,' Kamna was quoted as saying by TOI. At home, Shux is known for his disciplined lifestyle and calm determination. He enjoys staying fit, reading non-fiction, and spending playful moments with his six-year-old son. Yet behind this steady routine lies a bold spirit—one that made the remarkable leap from the secure life of a fighter pilot to the uncertain and demanding realm of space exploration. While speaking to the Times of India, Kamna stated, 'He loves his workouts, non-fiction books, to goof around with his six-year-old son. But when you talk about his fearlessness, he's taken immense risks. He left his life as a fighter pilot and stepped into the uncharted world of spaceflight. From making decisions in microseconds to doing delicate experiments in micrograms—it's a complete shift.' What she finds most remarkable about him isn't his trip to space, but rather his inner quiet strength. It's his extreme conviction – a way of thinking that does not allow him to quit. He goes back to simple wisdom, like Dory in Finding Nemo: 'Just keep swimming.' He retains a sharp focus on how to go forward, no matter how bad, he is very adept at problem solving in even the direst situation – thats where his brilliant mind shines. Regarding the rest of the Ax-4 crew, Kamna noted that their relationship has developed way beyond that of colleagues. She believes they are now bound as lifelong friends, sharing the unique experience of living and working together in microgravity. 'They call themselves friends for life. Their experience in microgravity will bind them forever. I'm so glad Shux found these friends—and all of them adore our son Sid,' she stated. Kamna and Shukla's tale goes back to their early school days; they have known each other since primary class, and they shared classrooms from Class 3 onwards. With the years they had in common, they gradually morphed into close friends. She recalls him as the quiet, shy student who faded into the backdrop. It's that same soft-spoken boy whom many now articulate as Shubhanshu, 'who's now inspiring so many people.' Being married to someone pursuing such an extraordinary mission inevitably involves long separations and moments lost to time. The emotional weight of missed milestones—particularly not being there for their son Sid's early years—has not been easy. It's something that has quietly left its mark, especially on Shubhanshu, for whom those absences are deeply felt. The journey, while inspiring, has demanded personal sacrifices that linger beneath the surface, shaping their shared experience with both pride and quiet ache.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Decision on new Ax-4 launch date expected soon
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