Latest news with #AX-4
United News of India
15 hours ago
- Science
- United News of India
AX-4 mission piloted by Indian Astronaut all set for ISS mission Jun 10
Chennai, June 8 (UNI) The prestigious Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission to be piloted by an Indian Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla for the International Space Station (ISS) is all set for take off from US on June 10 Tuesday morning. The mission will take place at 0612 hrs Indian time. The Ax-4 crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station from LC-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 10 at 8:22 a.m. ET (0612 IST). It will carry four astronatus from US, India, Poland and Hungary for a 14-day docking mission in Low Earth Orbit for conducting various experiments, that included seven by ISRO. The Ax-4 mission will 'realize the return' to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the ISS. This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to Low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally. Axiom Space said "With a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration. Our previous missions set the stage and with Ax-4, we ascend even higher, bringing more nations to low-Earth orbit and expanding humanity's reach among the stars', according to Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 Mission Commander. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. The decorated IAF captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984 (the year Shukla was born) after Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet Mission. Sławosz Uznański, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, will be the second Polish astronaut since 1978, while Tibor Kapu will be the second national Hungarian astronaut since 1980. Peggy Whitson will command her second commercial human spaceflight mission, adding to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American astronaut. Ax-4 will be the second commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-4 mission stands as a beacon of opportunity for India, Poland, and Hungary, each poised to leverage this mission to advance their national space programs. The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. 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). The mission emphasizes scientific portfolios led by the U.S., India, Poland (in partnership with ESA), and Hungary. It aims to boost participation in these countries by involving diverse stakeholders, showcasing the value of microgravity research, and fostering international collaboration. The studies will enhance global knowledge in human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences, demonstrating the space research capabilities of the crew's home nations. Ahead of the mission, an 18-member delegation led by ISRO Chairman and Secretary Department of Space Dr V Narayanan is in the US, ahead of Shubhanshu Shukla's spaceflight which is scheduled for liftoff from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, . The delegation visited various facilities of Axiom, the American firm that is facilitating Shukla's spaceflight training and space travel. The four-member crew will be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket which carries the Crew Dragon capsule. While ISRO is gearing for its first human flight mission Gaganyaan from the spaceport of Sriharikota, the experience gained from Shukla's flight would prove crucial for ISRO. In simple terms, Shukla's flight can be considered a precursor or stepping stone to Gaganyaan. According to reports, in a pre-launch media briefing, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said that he is excited about all aspects of the Axiom-4 spaceflight. "As I stand at the threshold of a 14-day mission to the Space Station, I reflect on the path that has brought me here. From diverse systems to advanced platforms across continents and cultures, this training has been intense and deeply rewarding. Behind every minute in space likes months, years of preparation," he remarked. For the fortnight-long mission, I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts, he added. Shukla will be also carrying a special gift as a tribute to India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma. "I will be carrying something for him... I haven't revealed it to him. I will hand it over to him personally," he added. Both Shukla and Sharma(now retired) are Indian Air Force test pilots. Interestingly, Shukla was born in the year 1984, when Sharma became the first and only Indian to fly to space. Thanks to Shukla, the crew aboard the International Space Station will get a taste of Indian delicacies. Shukla said that he would be carrying sweets- carrot halwa, moong dal halwa, and mango nectar, for all the International crew members to taste. MORE UNI GV 0615
The Wire
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla-led Mission to International Space Station Pushed to June 10
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Science Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla-led Mission to International Space Station Pushed to June 10 The Wire Staff 17 minutes ago The postponement comes in light of "predicted inclement weather" during the SpaceX rocket and Dragon spacecraft transport and to complete final processing of the spacecraft ahead of launch, NASA stated. Axiom Mission 4 crew, from left to right, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Photo: PTI via X/@NASASpaceOps Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled to be launched on June 8 at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has now been postponed to June 10, The Hindu reported. The postponement was announced at a press conference held virtually from the Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4) crew's quarantine location in Florida, according to the report. Later, NASA released a statement saying, 'NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 8:22 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 10, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.' 'This shift allows teams to account for predicted inclement weather during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft transport in addition to completing final processing of the spacecraft ahead of launch,' it stated. The trip to ISS aboard AX-4 – a commercial flight operated by Houston-based private company Axiom Space – is a collaborative effort between NASA, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and European Space Agency (ESA). The crew, including Group Captain and ISRO astronaut Shukla, with crew members European Space Agency astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, will lift off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. Peggy Whitson, who is also the director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while Shukla will serve as pilot. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu will be the two mission specialists, according to NASA. The crew had entered quarantine last week. Group Captain Shukla is also one of the four astronaut-designates chosen for the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO's) Gaganyaan mission, India's maiden human spaceflight mission. He will be the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS, as well as the first Indian in space after 40 years. ISRO, which has paid Rs 5 billion (USD 59 million; GBP 43 million) to secure a seat for Group Captain Shukla and his training, says the experience he will gain during his trip to the ISS will help India immensely. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Poisoned Air, Rashes, Diseases: Residents of a Bengal Village Next to Thermal Power Station Cry for Help Banu Mushtaq's Importance Goes Much Beyond the Booker 'Heart Lamp' Wins International Booker: Banu Mushtaq's First Reaction Trump's Drive for Ocean Bed Mining Threatens Law of the Sea The Politics of 'Heart Lamp' Is Profound, Urgent and Reflects the Lived Reality of Millions Banu Mushtaq's 'Heart Lamp' – Translated By Deepa Bhasthi – Is 2025 International Booker Prize Winner Harvard's Indian Students Are Trapped in Trump's Visa Crossfire Humour, Scepticism and the Realities of the Familial in Banu Mushtaq's 'Heart Lamp' 'We All Belong Here': Mumbai For Peace March Hopes to Reclaim Spaces and Resist Increasing Hatred View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
India Today
28-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Can fruit flies save astronauts? Unique experiment headed to space with Ax-4
When you think of space explorers, you probably picture astronauts like Neil Armstrong, Sunita Williams, Rakesh Sharma or now Shubhanshu Shukla. But there's another unlikely hero quietly helping science take big steps forward — the tiny fruit small insects have long been used in science labs to study genetics. Axiom Space is sending them into space to find out if they can help us solve one of space travel's biggest problems: damage to human DNA caused by space fruit fly larvae will launch aboard the AX-4 mission piloted by India's Shubhanshu Shukla to the Space Station. WHAT'S THE EXPERIMENT ABOUT? The study is looking at how radiation in space affects the DNA of fruit flies and their young species. Scientists want to see if producing certain proteins in larger amounts can help protect or repair the DNA that gets damaged by this works, it could lead to new ways to protect astronauts during long trips through space, especially important for missions to the Moon, Mars, or even FRUIT FLIES?Fruit flies are ideal for this kind of research. They reproduce quickly, are easy to study, and share many of the same genes as humans, around 75% of human disease-related genes have a match in fruit also tough. Some stages of their life cycle, like the larvae, can survive very high levels of radiation, much more than most living things can isn't just about floating around and seeing stars. It's a dangerous place for living organisms. There's no atmosphere to block radiation, and the lack of gravity in the vacuum affects how our bodies in space can break DNA strands or cause changes that harm cells. Microgravity can also make it harder for cells to fix this studies have shown that being in space changes how DNA repair genes behave. This makes it even more important to find ways to help our bodies fix themselves out THIS MATTERS FOR THE FUTUREIf the proteins in fruit flies prove to help with DNA repair, scientists might be able to create medicines or treatments that protect astronauts during future work also supports other efforts like NASA's BioSentinel mission, which is using yeast cells to study DNA repair in deep the Axiom-4 mission enters its final stage, preparing to send astronauts from India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary to ISS on June 8, 2025, understanding how to protect their health has never been more would have thought that a tiny fly buzzing around your fruit bowl could hold the key to safer space travel? Fruit flies may be small, but their role in shaping the future of human spaceflight could be Watch
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Flight readiness of space mission carrying Indian astronaut to ISS begins today
The flight readiness review for the AX-4 mission, which will carry four astronauts including the Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) early next month, begins on Wednesday. US space agency NASA's ISS programme manager, Dana Weigel, said this at a virtual mission overview press conference on Tuesday night. Weigel said the AX-4 mission crew was equipped to live and undertake research on ISS with the completion of their training last month. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the crew aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to ISS on June 8 at 6.40pm IST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. SpaceX Dragon Mission Management director Sarah Walker said the crew has completed 100 tests and rigorous training. 'Now multiple flight readiness reviews lie ahead to mitigate any risk and ensure the flight and mission's reliability.' Walker said that reviews will continue in the coming weeks, and adjustments, if any, will be communicated. May 29 was announced as the initial launch date, which was postponed to June 8 last week. Walker said Dragon's final integration campaign is being undertaken, and preflight checks and a rerun of tests to confirm flight worthiness are being conducted. 'We expect to transport the Dragon to our hangar next week to be integrated with the rocket for launch,' she said. 'We added a week after some findings. For instance, the parachutes did not pass the impact test since there was moisture in the bag. So, we had to replace the bags. Similarly, we had to replace a wire harness.' The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA will jointly undertake five experiments during the 14-day AX-4 mission. These will be in addition to the seven microgravity research experiments on the mission planned by India. Shukla, 39, will become the first Indian to visit ISS, in what will mark the nation's return to human spaceflight after four decades. ISRO project director Sudeesh Balan said the five joint experiments relate to the human research programme. 'Shukla will participate in them. These are different from the seven biological experiments,' said Balan. He added that Shukla has practised in simulations to prepare physically and psychologically. The seven experiments that national R&D laboratories and academic institutions have proposed range from studying the impact of microgravity radiation in ISS on edible microalgae and sprouting salad seeds in space to analysing human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity and the impact of microgravity on growth and yield parameters in food crop seeds. Shukla is expected to gain critical hands-on experience in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, and emergency preparedness—essential for India's crewed space ambitions—aboard the Ax-4 mission. Weigel and Balan said ISRO and NASA have planned joint public outreach activities in the run-up to the mission. 'As part of this mission, NASA is partnering with ISRO to host a joint public downlink event to showcase the strength of the international collaboration and our show of commitment to expanding access to space. NASA and ISRO will also conduct five joint science investigations in addition to two outreach activities,' said Weigel. Balan said Shukla will interact with students at two locations. 'There will be amateur radio contact with the student community. We have identified the students, and these activities are currently in progress. We have located two places in India where this will be happening.' A decorated test pilot, Shukla was shortlisted under ISRO's Human Spaceflight Programme. He is among the top contenders for the Gaganyaan mission, India's first indigenous crewed orbital flight. On February 27 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Shukla as one of the elite astronauts undergoing intensive training for Gaganyaan. Born in Lucknow, Shukla was commissioned into the IAF in June 2006 and has 2,000 hours of flight experience as a combat leader and test pilot. He rose to the group captain rank in March 2024 and underwent rigorous year-long training at Moscow's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City. European Space Agency (ESA) and the Hungarian To Orbit Programme are the two other agencies that will be part of the Ax-4 mission. Shukla will serve as a pilot alongside Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, who will command her second commercial human spaceflight mission. The other members are Sławosz Uznański, ESA project astronaut, the second Polish astronaut since 1978, and Tibor Kapu, the second Hungarian astronaut since 1980. Axiom Space chief of mission services Allen Flynt said the AX-4 mission will undertake 60 scientific studies representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and European nations. 'The mission will enable a sustainable dynamic space industry.'
Deccan Herald
06-05-2025
- Science
- Deccan Herald
Moong dal halwa, aam ras to feature in menu for astronaut Shukla during space station stay
While NASA's protocol for astronaut foods is to be followed strictly in the AX-4 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation officials said a few Indian food items would be available for Group Captain Shukla, who will pilot the mission besides conducting seven microgravity experiments. Kalyan Ray
