Latest news with #Axiom4
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
How India And Israel Are Reaching For The Stars
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set for the Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe helping bring the excitement of space to students at the Indian astronaut's school in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. The two spacefarers, after an interaction at a gathering in Houston, had envisioned a program that would allow Indian students to experience the thrill of space exploration in real time. "Every year, there's a gathering of astronauts in Houston, where NASA's main human spaceflight centre is based. That's where I met Group Captain Shukla. He told me about his mission, and I shared how we had engaged school children in Israel during my time on the ISS. He immediately suggested we reach out to the City Montessori School in Lucknow," Mr Stibbe said. The City Montessori School is where Mr Shukla studied. Plans are now underway to create a parallel "mission control" experience at the school, allowing students to follow Mr Shukla's journey aboard the ISS, watch live feeds from the station, and participate in interactive educational activities. "The idea is to create programs, materials, and excitement," Mr Stibbe, who was part of the Axiom 1 mission in 2022, said. "We want children to ask questions, to be curious. During the mission, they'll be able to watch Shukla at work on the station-not just during interviews, but through continuous camera feeds that show astronauts floating, working, and living in microgravity. It's super exciting," he said. Mr Stibbe, who funded his private mission to space, is passionate about making space accessible to all. His outreach efforts in Israel reached thousands of students, and he hopes to replicate that success in India. "Whatever we did in Israel, we're now extending a hand of friendship to India," he said. "There's a lot we can learn from each other," Mr Stibbe said. "From the educational system, from the missions, and from the science. We're following India's space program closely and hope for more cooperation." The initiative has the potential to draw attention at the highest levels. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are great friends," Mr Stibbe said. "If they get the opportunity, I'm sure they would be happy to join in. We'll definitely extend an invitation." For Mr Stibbe, the mission is personal. "Watching the Earth from space, seeing the sunrise and sunset - it changes you. You realise how fragile our planet is. That's why I believe in sustainability and in inspiring the next generation to care for our world," he said. "India and Israel," Mr Stibbe said with a smile, "the friendship goes beyond Earth - and on Earth."
NDTV
3 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
"Space Future Begins Now": ISRO Chief On Indian Astronaut's Spaceflight
New Delhi: India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to travel to space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon as part of a crew that will include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary for the June 8 Axiom Mission 4. Dr V Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), shared insights on the Axiom 4 mission and its significance for India's human spaceflight ambitions. "Right now, the training of the Gaganyatri is in its final phase. I would say everything is complete, and we are waiting for the mission to happen," said Dr Narayanan. When asked about the safety of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule, Dr. Narayanan expressed confidence in the system. "The answer is yes. Based on my knowledge of the launcher and these modules, they have undergone sufficient experimentation and flight testing. Enough Falcon 9 launches have happened. I am fully confident. I think it's the right thing. But, as with any rocket or space program, even after everything is done, we have to wait for D-Day for the final result." The Axiom 4 mission is a significant milestone for India, marking its participation in a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). Dr Narayanan highlighted the benefits of this mission for India's space program. "August 15, 2018, was a historic day for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the human spaceflight programme - the Gaganyaan programme. Until then, India had experience in launching rockets and satellites. But when it comes to human spaceflight, the human interface is critical, and we had very limited experience. Why do I say limited? Because we had never done it before. Of course, in 1984, Rakesh Sharma went to space and returned. Today, he is actively involved with us in the review process and has shared his experiences and the challenges he faced. We are learning a lot from him. With that in mind, I truly salute our Honourable Prime Minister Modi for his vision - why not send one of our Gaganyatris to the International Space Station? It was his vision." Dr Narayanan emphasised the importance of the Axiom 4 mission for building experience and confidence. "I will tell you what the benefits are. First, the Gaganyatri is undergoing a rigorous set of training sessions, so he is becoming more confident. Second, he will fly with other experienced astronauts - Americans and others. Third, he will be part of a team conducting nine experiments, some with his fellow astronauts. He will also handle mission-related management systems. This will give him valuable experience. And when he returns, he will be more confident," he said. When asked about the cost of the mission, Dr Narayanan defended the expenditure. "Let's not reduce it to something like a bus ticket. Think about a bus ticket - I want to tell you, I travel often to Delhi these days. When I first flew in an aeroplane, it was an exciting moment. In 1947, when India gained independence, we used bullock carts and walked on foot in my village. We used to walk 10 kilometres to the temple. Then, when a bus finally came to our village, you can't imagine the excitement - not just mine, the entire village's. So this moment is like that. Is it worth it? Absolutely. It is fully justified. We will gain confidence, and we will gain valuable experience. The Gaganyaatri will feel comfortable, and the outcome will be truly useful for the Gaganyaan programme," he said. Dr. Narayanan elaborated on how the Axiom 4 mission will contribute to the success of Gaganyaan. "First, the Gaganyatri is undergoing full training. Second, he will work with different colleagues. He'll conduct experiments with others, not alone. In the space station, he'll be active alongside them. So, number one: psychological preparedness. Number two: technical understanding. Number three: managerial awareness. So technical, managerial, psychological, and physical readiness - everything will be developed. And once he returns, all of this knowledge will be disseminated," the ISRO chief said. On the selection of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Dr Narayanan expressed full confidence. "I have 100% confidence in the 20,000 employees of the Department of Space. I have full confidence in him as well. Whether it's Shuklaji or another Gaganyatri, I'm happy. But we have chosen someone younger, and I interact with him regularly. He is highly knowledgeable, competent, and dynamic. I am fully satisfied with the selection," he said. Dr Narayanan also spoke about the standby astronaut, Group Captain Prashant Nair. "Both were equally outstanding. Both were excellent. But when it comes to travelling, only one can go. Probably, after considering many factors, the team selected one of them," the ISRO chairman added. He concluded with optimism about the upcoming mission. "In fact, all Indians are going to be with us. We will all enjoy that flight, and we expect very good outcomes to feed into our Gaganyaan programme."
NDTV
3 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
From Tel Aviv To Lucknow: How Space Is Uniting India And Israel
As India prepares to send Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom 4 mission, a unique collaboration is unfolding - one that transcends borders, cultures, and orbits. Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe, who flew on the Axiom 1 mission in 2022, is now extending a hand of friendship to India, helping bring the excitement of space to school children in Lucknow, the hometown of the Indian astronaut. At the heart of this initiative is the City Montessori School (CMS), where Mr Shukla studied. Inspired by his interaction with Mr Stibbe at an astronaut gathering in Houston, the two spacefarers envisioned a program that would allow Indian students to experience the thrill of space exploration in real time. The Axiom-1 Mission: A Personal Journey Eytan Stibbe's journey to space was unique in many ways. As Israel's second astronaut, he followed in the footsteps of Ilan Ramon, who tragically lost his life in the Columbia disaster in 2003. Mr Stibbe's mission was not just about scientific exploration, it was about reigniting the Israeli public's interest in space. "We, as a first private astronaut mission, were determined to prove that it is possible, it is beneficial, and we should open the way for future private missions," Mr Stibbe said. He added, "It was a challenge because I had to build the whole mission for myself. I had to make the combination of science, education, of art, and build the whole work plan. I had no space agency supporting me, which was an exciting venture." Mr Stibbe's mission included a diverse array of activities, from scientific experiments to educational outreach. "We got ideas from children, from scientists, from philosophers, and assembled a great mission that many, many people in Israel, maybe the whole public was involved in a space mission," he said. A Tribute to Ilan Ramon Mr Stibbe's mission was also a tribute to his friend Ilan Ramon. "Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, was on the Columbia STS-107 mission. He was a good friend of mine. We are still in a very close relationship with his family," Mr Stibbe said. "In 2003, they launched in the shuttle Columbia for 14 days in space together with Ms Chawla, an Indian-American, Kalpana Chawla. Yes, and they did a lot of science and educational missions. Unfortunately, they did not come back," he said. The loss of Mr Ramon and his crew left a lasting impact on the Israeli public. "So the Israeli public sentiment toward human space flight was always very delicate. My intention in my mission was to change that sentiment and open again the excitement, the curiosity about space, the amazing possibilities of children and scientists to take part in this International Space Station," Mr Stibbe said. Mr Stibbe's journey to space was driven by a deep personal commitment. "The motivation was really to change the sentiment of the public, to create excitement about space, because space is unknown. It's endless. We are just a small part of space," he said. One of the most profound moments for Mr Stibbe was seeing Earth from space. "Once we are in the station and look back to Earth, I think the most exciting part is to see the atmosphere, the slim strip of 100 kilometers that without this atmosphere, life would not exist on Earth. All life and vegetation exists in these 200 kilometers of oxygen and life," he said. Mr Stibbe's mission was entirely self-funded, a testament to his belief in the value of space exploration. When asked on why he decided to pay from his pocket, Mr Stibbe said, "Because I believe it's worthwhile. It's like a donation. All the industries, the academies, the hospitals, they all benefited from the opportunity to send science to space," he said. The Outreach Mr Stibbe said, "Every year, there's an astronaut gathering in Houston, where NASA's main human spaceflight center is based. That's where I met Group Captain Shukla. He told me about his mission, and I shared how we had engaged schoolchildren in Israel during my time on the ISS. He immediately suggested we reach out to CMS in Lucknow." The idea took off. The CMS management embraced the proposal with enthusiasm, and plans are now underway to create a parallel "mission control" experience at the school. The goal is to allow students to follow Group Captain Shukla's journey aboard the ISS, watch live feeds from the station, and participate in interactive educational activities. "The idea is to create programs, materials, and excitement," said Mr Stibbe. "We want children to ask questions, to be curious. During the mission, they'll be able to watch Shukla at work on the station-not just during interviews, but through continuous camera feeds that show astronauts floating, working, and living in microgravity. It's super exciting," he said. Mr Stibbe is passionate about making space accessible to all. His outreach efforts in Israel reached thousands of students, and he hopes to replicate that success in India. "Whatever we did in Israel, we're now extending a hand of friendship to India," he said. The collaboration is more than just educational - it's deeply symbolic of the growing ties between India and Israel. "There's a lot we can learn from each other," Mr Stibbe noted. "From the educational system, from the missions, and from the science. We're following India's space program closely and hope for more cooperation," he said. The initiative has the potential to draw attention at the highest levels. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are great friends. If they get the opportunity, I'm sure they would be happy to join in. We'll definitely extend an invitation," Mr Stibbe said. For Mr Stibbe, the mission is personal. "Watching the Earth from space, seeing the sunrise and sunset - it changes you. You realize how fragile our planet is. That's why I believe in sustainability and in inspiring the next generation to care for our world," he said.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla enters quarantine for historic Axiom-4 Mission
The Axiom 4 mission to space is set for launch on June 8th, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla representing India. Shukla, only the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma, has entered quarantine along with astronauts from Poland and Hungary. This marks India's first government-sponsored space flight in over 40 years and the first time an Indian astronaut will visit the International Space Station.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Early monsoon causes havoc in Mumbai, Kerala and Karnataka
3:43 The Axiom 4 mission to space is set for launch on June 8th, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla representing India. Shukla, only the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma, has entered quarantine along with astronauts from Poland and Hungary.
