Latest news with #Ax4
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Isro chief reviews prep ahead of Indian astronaut's launch to space
With just days remaining until the launch of the landmark Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chief V Narayanan visited Axiom Space's Houston facilities.,Axiom Space will launch Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on 14-day mission to the Space Station on June visit by the Indian space agency chief focused on Axiom's manufacturing and technical capabilities, as both organisations prepare for India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. advertisement The Ax-4 mission, now scheduled for launch on June 10, 2025, will see Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla become only the second Indian to travel to space, and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS).Shukla, serving as mission pilot, will join commander Peggy Whitson (USA), and mission specialists Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) for a 14-day scientific mission aboard the the Isro Chairman's tour, Axiom Space leadership reiterated their commitment to supporting Isro's space ambitions. Days away from our historic #Ax4 human spaceflight mission, the ISRO Chairman visited the full complement of Axiom Space facilities with a focus on our team's manufacturing and technical expertise. We are committed to supporting ISRO's space endeavors Ax-4 and beyond! Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 4, 2025The Ax-4 mission will conduct around 60 scientific studies involving 31 countries, with Isro selecting seven microgravity experiments in fields such as agriculture, food science, and human efforts are expected to provide critical experience for India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission and future space station Isro Chairman's visit marks a significant milestone in India's growing role in global space exploration and signals a new era of public-private collaboration in advancing human spaceflight. Must Watch
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS launch on Axiom Mission 4 rescheduled to 10 June
The Axiom Space Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been rescheduled for 10 June, an Axiom Space spokesperson said on Tuesday. The mission was originally scheduled for 29 May and was subsequently shifted to 8 June before the latest change. The new date was confirmed owing to operational adjustments and ongoing quarantine protocols. The Ax-4 crew is scheduled to remain aboard the ISS for two weeks. Where to watch Axiom Mission 4 live Axiom Space has announced that the mission will be broadcast live from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on 10 June at 8:22 a.m. EDT (3:45 p.m. IST). The launch is scheduled for 5:52 p.m. 'The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast starting at 6:15 a.m. EDT,' Axiom Space posted on X. The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast starting at 6:15 AM EDT. — Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 3, 2025 Who is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla? Born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO astronaut. He studied at City Montessori School before joining the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006. A milestone moment for Indian human spaceflight Group Captain Shukla is set to become the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station. He will serve as the pilot of Axiom Mission 4, also referred to as Ax-4. The mission marks India's return to human spaceflight after four decades, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic space journey aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 launch to ISS now on June 10; Indian astronaut says ‘even stars are attainable, Jai Hind'
Indian astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla NEW DELHI: The launch of the Axiom mission, which will carry Indian astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station, has been postponed to June 10, it was announced on Tuesday. 'The Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASAKennedy,' Axiom Space posted on X. The mission, part of Axiom Space's Ax-4 programme, was originally slated for take-off on May 29 and then rescheduled for June 8, but operational adjustments and quarantine protocols have now led to the launch date being pushed to June 10. During a virtual press conference, Shukla said the Ax-4 crew will interact with school students, educators and members of the Indian space industry. 'For the people of India, this mission is a milestone and I request India to pray for its success. Even stars are attainable, Jai Hind,' he said, adding that he would be carrying Indian delicacies such as mango nectar, moong dal halwa and carrot halwa on the space flight. PM Narendra Modi is expected to interact with the Ax-4 crew during their 14-day stay at the ISS. 'We will have one with an Indian VVIP,' Shukla said to a question on interaction with the PM from space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders trust IC Markets for CFD trading | Sign up today IC Markets Learn More Undo Shukla, who will serve as the mission's pilot, is set to make history as the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space—following Rakesh Sharma's iconic 1984 mission. The Ax-4 crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran Nasa astronaut, and specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. On Tuesday, space minister Jitendra Singh announced that Group Capt Shukla will study physical, cognitive and physiological responses in space, as well as the impact of utilising continuous electronic displays in microgravity, an important issue for future long-duration space missions. Further, Shukla's research will focus on skeletal muscle dysfunction in space and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies to counter these effects. The minister shared that the astronaut-designate will also carry out experiments on the revival, survival, and reproduction of extremophiles such as Tardigrades. These micro-organisms, known for their resilience in extreme conditions, will help advance scientific understanding of the sustainability of life beyond Earth. Speaking on India's first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, Singh said its trial phases are currently under way, and the mission is scheduled for early 2027. Such ventures will be game-changers for India's space ecosystem, allowing the country to become truly Atmanirbhar in the domain. He highlighted that India's space economy is projected to grow five-fold from $8 billion to $44 billion in the near future.
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India.com
4 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shuklas Mission To ISS Postponed Till June 10
The launch of Axiom Space's mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed to June 10. The Houston-based private space company informed about the delay in a post on X. "The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy," Axiom Space wrote in the post. The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast starting at 6:15 AM EDT. — Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 3, 2025 Captain Shukla is part of the first team of Indian astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair serving as his designated backup. Furthermore, according to ANI, the Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India's first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments onboard the ISS. Axiom Space, on May 15, had posted, 'Now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 8 for Falcon 9 to launch Ax-4, @Axiom_Space's fourth mission to the @Space_Station, from pad 39A in Florida.' Food, Nutrition-Related Experiments Earlier, on Saturday, Union Minister for Department of Space, Jitendra Singh, had announced that Astronaut Shukla will conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments onboard the ISS as part of the upcoming Ax-4, a statement from the Ministry of Science and Technology stated. Union Minister Singh added that the first ISS experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. The study will focus on key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth conditions. The second experiment will investigate the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria–specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus– under microgravity, using urea- and nitrate-based media. The research will evaluate the potential of Spirulina as a space "superfood" due to its high protein and vitamin content, assess the feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, for cyanobacterial growth, and study the effects of microgravity on cellular metabolism and biological efficiency. Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla? Group Captain Shukla will be the first astronaut from the ISRO to visit the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. He will also be India's second national astronaut to go to space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The IAF pilot is among the astronauts chosen for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human space flight. He was promoted to group captain in March of 2024. Once docked at the ISS, the private astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities, ANI reported. Apart from Group Captain Shukla, the mission also carries two mission specialists - European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary to stay aboard the space station. In addition, Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission postponed to June 10
BENGALURU: Group Captain and three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) will now launch at 5.52pm, IST, on June 10, pushed by two days from the earlier launch date of June 8. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the ISS on June 10 at 8:22am (Eastern Time) from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre,' Axiom Space said Tuesday, without elaborating on the cause for postponement. With just a few days to go for launch, Shukla addressed the world with a stirring message of resolve, gratitude and vision—one firmly rooted in science and proudly anchored in India's cultural heritage. He spoke as part of the crew's final interaction before lift-off. Stating that he feels deeply inspired, prepared and confident going to the International Space Station (ISS), he said: 'Even stars are attainable.' 'The last few months have been nothing short of extraordinary, of discovery and unshakable resolve. From diverse systems to advanced platforms, across continents and cultures. This training has been intense but deeply rewarding,' he said. He reiterated that he won't be carrying just instruments and equipment, but the 'hopes and dreams of a billion hearts', and said he will conduct seven Indian-designed experiments developed by research institutions from across the nation. 'These investigations will explore how microgravity affects everything from stem cell cultures to crop seeds, advancing India's footprint in space-based science. These experiments will pave the way for India's progress in microgravity science. And I am proud to be the bridge between Earth and orbit for this pioneering research,' he said. 'Joy' in Orbit Ax-4 commander Peggy Whitson, stating that every mission is different as every crew brings something new to the table and that she has been incredibly impressed by the dedication, the work ethic, and the passion of her team, she said: '.... Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And then, there's 'Joy'—the crew's chosen zero-gravity indicator, and a symbol of the cultural mosaic onboard.' The swan, named Joy, represents 'Wisdom in India', 'Resilience in Poland', and 'Grace in Hungary'. 'More than just a companion, Joy will signal our arrival in microgravity shortly after launch. Through Joy, we'll celebrate our diversity and our unity in the shared journey of space exploration,' she said. NID Souvenirs The mission isn't just scientific. To mark India's artistic and cultural spirit, Shukla is carrying souvenirs crafted by students from the National Institute of Design — artefacts that represent the spirit of India. 'I carry them with deep pride.' On whether he would have a live interaction with PM Modi from ISS, he said: '...We have several planned live events from orbit, including interactions with Indian VIPs, students, academia, and the space industry to share my experiences with people back home.' Reiterating that India's first astronaut, Wing Commander (retd) Rakesh Sharma has been a great mentor, Shukla said: 'I am carrying something to honour him, but I cannot reveal it as I still haven't told him what it is and I want that to be a surprise.' Sharma won't be travelling to view the launch. 'I am carrying a few delicacies from India. We have a very rich culinary culture, so some of the items I'm bringing include mango nectar, moong dal halwa, and carrot halwa. Some of these are my favorites, and I'm so happy to be able to carry them to share with my colleagues and the astronauts who are currently on the station,' Shukla said. He called upon the youth of India to invest in the country's future in space. 'Space is not a distant dream, but a future they can shape… Bharat, with missions like Gaganyaan and space station, will need the young generation to be invested in space exploration. Hence, I call upon every Bharatvasi to join us, participate, engage and dream boldly,' he said.
