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India Today
a day ago
- Science
- India Today
Shux didn't just orbit Earth. He elevated India's orbit in the world
India has always sought avenues to amplify its global voice through yoga, cinema, democratic ideals, and economic diplomacy. But with the recent space mission of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard Axiom Space's Ax-4, a new chapter has once the domain of Cold War rivalry and nationalist spectacle, is now India's next frontier in soft Shubhanshu Shukla is only the second Indian to enter space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Yet, unlike Sharma's Soviet-era mission, a proud, symbolic act of solidarity, Shukla's voyage is rich with contemporary significance. Shubhanshu Shukla at the the International Space Station as part of Axiom Space's commercial mission. advertisement It's not just about putting an Indian in orbit. It's about embedding India in the architecture of future space collaboration and exploration, and projecting a confident, tech-savvy India to the mission was no solitary endeavour. It was made possible through collaboration with private space giant SpaceX, American company Axiom Space, and international space agencies like Nasa, and the European Space Agency. Shukla trained across Russia and the US, embodying the spirit of global his presence on the International Space Station, conducting seven Indian-designed experiments, India wasn't just participating - it was co-piloting the scientific conversation. This is where the soft power element becomes unmistakable. Just as the US once won hearts during the Apollo era and China now wields its space program as geopolitical leverage, India, too, is realising that its space story can inspire, lead, and mission acted as a warm introduction for Gaganyaan, India's upcoming indigenous human spaceflight program. But it also served as a calling card for international France to Japan, countries are eyeing partnerships in sustainable space tech, microgravity research, and astronaut training. India, with its proven Mars and Moon missions and now human spaceflight readiness, becomes an attractive partner, not just a proud nation, but a dependable timing is impeccable. At a moment when space is being redefined - from national prestige to shared infrastructure and commercial opportunity - India's message is clear: we are here, and we can this leadership is not blustery or bombastic. It is built on cooperation, data sharing, and contributions to a global diplomacy at its most refined. People watch the live screening of the Dragon Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia met astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary during a traditional Indian ceremony in Texas. Ask ChatGPT. (Photo: Tejpaul Bhatia/X) Imagine the appeal for smaller nations: a rising power that speaks their language, shares their development goals, and is willing to train, collaborate, and co-develop. For the Global South, India becomes not a rival but a roadmap. That's symbolism of Shukla's journey - the tricolour patch on his suit, the Isro-designed experiments floating in microgravity, the cultural artefacts from India shared with crewmates is potent. The Gajar ka halwa feast was just a it's the operational depth behind that symbolism that gives it enduring has always dreamed big, but this time, it is executing with precision. In space, it is no longer chasing. It is building. And in doing so, it is crafting a compelling narrative that the world is beginning to take seriously - not just of a nation reaching for the stars, but one inviting others along for the journey. Shubhanshu Shukla greets as he reaches Earth. (Photo: Axiom Space/X) Shux didn't just orbit the Earth. He elevated India's orbit in the world.(Sibu Tripathi heads the Science team at India Today Digital. He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism award.)- Ends(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Tune InTrending Reel
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Private Ax-4 astronauts splash down aboard SpaceX capsule to conclude ISS mission (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Welcome home! Four astronauts have returned to Earth following more than two weeks living aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Axiom Space's fourth crewed mission to the ISS, known as Ax-4, concluded early this morning, with the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule "Grace" splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:32 a.m. EDT (0932 GMT; locally, 2:32 a.m. PDT). Grace undocked from the ISS yesterday (July 14) at 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 GMT), beginning the 22-hour final leg of the crew's journey in space. On the mission, Ax-4 commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and currently Axiom's director of human spaceflight, extended her record for cumulative days spent by an American in space to 695. Whitson was joined by a trio of first-time astronauts from three different countries, none of which had ever sent a citizen to the ISS before. Shubhanshu "Shux" Shukla, who served as Ax-4's pilot, hails from India. He is a pilot in the Indian Air Force and one of four astronauts selected for the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, expected sometime in 2027. Ax-4 mission specialist Sławosz "Suave" Uznański-Wiśniewski, from Poland, is a member of the European Space Agency's (ESA's) astronaut reserve program, and Tibor Kapu, a mission specialist from Hungary, is a member of HUNOR, Hungary's orbital astronaut program. Axiom-4 Crew: Commander Peggy Whitson Pilot Shubhanshu "Shux" Shukla Mission Specialist Sławosz "Suave" Uznański-Wiśniewski Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu Ax-4 launched on June 26 from storied Launch Complex-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew aboard Grace lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and docked with the space station a day later. Their mission was expected to last about two weeks but was extended by four days to achieve favorable orbital phasing during their return. While aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew carried out a record number of science investigations and public outreach events. With contributions from a total of 31 different countries, Ax-4 astronauts completed more than 60 experiments and technology demonstrations — more than any previous Axiom mission. Starship Die Cast Rocket Model Now $47.99 on Amazon. If you can't see SpaceX's Starship in person, you can score a model of your own. Standing at 13.77 inches (35 cm), this is a 1:375 ratio of SpaceX's Starship as a desktop model. The materials here are alloy steel and it weighs just Deal Related Stories: — SpaceX launches historic private Axiom-4 astronaut mission to the ISS (video) — Axiom Space: Building the off-Earth economy — Axiom-4 astronauts on SpaceX Crew Dragon welcomed aboard International Space Station (video) Ax-4's splashdown this morning followed about 22.5 hours on orbit after their departure from the ISS. After nearly a full day flying their return trajectory, the crew's final minutes before splashdown passed relatively quickly. Grace began its atmospheric descent at approximately 5:18 a.m. EDT (0918 GMT; locally, 2:18 am PT). Having survived the char of the most unforgiving layers of Earth's upper atmosphere, the spacecraft's drogue parachutes deployed to stabilize its plummet. Shortly thereafter, the Dragon's four main chutes unfolded to slow the capsule's descent even further. The Ax-4 spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, where it was met by the SpaceX Dragon recovery vessel "Shannon." Once safely hoisted aboard "Shannon," the Ax-4 crew will disembark Grace to begin acclimating to Earth's gravity once again. This is only SpaceX's second West Coast crew recovery, after the Crew-9 mission to the ISS came down this past March. SpaceX has shifted permanently Pacific Ocean spacecraft recoveries to avoid possible instances of pieces of Dragon's trunk surviving atmospheric reentry and crashing back to Earth, which were reported during some Atlantic Ocean and Gulf returns. The empty space station docking port left behind after Ax-4's undocking won't remain so for long. The next astronauts launching to the ISS are slated for liftoff no earlier than July 31. That mission, SpaceX's Crew-11, will launch a crew rotation for NASA that's expected to last between six and eight months. Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Malayalam actress once-secret husband is astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Gaganyaan crewmate. Why they kept their marriage hidden for months. Who is Prasanth Nair?
In a rare moment where cinema met space, Malayalam actor Lena has tugged at the internet's heartstrings with an emotional Instagram post. The video shows her husband, Indian Air Force pilot and astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair , warmly embracing astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew as they returned from space. What made the reel even more moving was Lena's clever choice of background score—Hans Zimmer's iconic Interstellar theme, which gave the real-life footage a cinematic, almost surreal, touch. Who is Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair? As per the Axiom Space website, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is a decorated Indian Air Force test pilot and astronaut. A recipient of the prestigious Sword of Honour at the Hyderabad Air Force Academy. He was born on August 26, 1976, in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala. He graduated top of his class at the US Air Force Air Command and Staff College in Alabama. Nair was among the four astronauts handpicked by ISRO for the Gaganyaan mission —India's first human spaceflight—and underwent rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia. On February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially revealed him as part of India's astronaut team. He served as the backup pilot for Axiom Mission 4 . Had astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla been unable to fly, Nair would have taken his place on the historic mission. Given his integral training role, he formed a close bond with the crew, making Shukla's emotional welcome all the more heartfelt. His secret marriage to Malayalam actress On February 27, 2024, Lena also revealed their secret marriage—news she had been legally required to keep under wraps until the official announcement of Nair's role. She confirmed that she married Group Captain Prasanth on January 17, 2024, in a traditional ceremony. The post included a montage of clips. About Malayalam actress Lena Actress Lena has worked in popular movies like Pushpaka Vimanam, Ouseppinte Osyath, Kanyaka Talkies, Spirit, Traffic and many other movies. She was last seen in Nancy Rani and has Valathu Vashathe Kallan in the pipeline. About Gaganyaan Mission India's ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, has now entered its final phase, with the country gearing up to send its first astronauts into space in early 2027. This milestone mission will see a crew of three Indian astronauts launched into a 400-km low Earth orbit for a three-day mission, culminating in a safe splashdown in Indian sea waters. The four Indian Air Force pilots, selected as astronaut-designates, have already completed their foundational training in Russia. They are currently undergoing mission-specific training in India, which includes rigorous assessments of their physical health, psychological fitness, and simulation-based readiness.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Shubanshu Shukla healthy, on a medical routine to restore baseline health
Shubanshu Shukla healthy, on a medical routine to restore baseline health BENGALURU: Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla (Shux), who returned from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 15, is 'healthy' with initial medical evaluation showing 'no immediate health concerns'. Shux, India's first astronaut to fly as part of a commercial space mission — Axiom-4 (Ax-4) — has begun his week-long post-flight rehabilitation in Houston. According to Isro, he is now on a medical routine that will involve cardiovascular assessments, musculoskeletal tests, and mental health monitoring. The goal is to restore his physical baseline and prepare him for a normal return to Earth activities. 'After splashdown, Shukla was extracted by SpaceX recovery teams and underwent preliminary health checks aboard the recovery ship. Initial assessments confirmed that he was in stable condition. He was then airlifted to the mainland for detailed medical evaluations and mission debriefing sessions,' Isro said. Shux is currently under the care of Axiom Space 's flight surgeon in Houston, with Isro's medical team participating in his rehabilitation. This phase focuses on mitigating the effects of microgravity, which can impact cardiovascular health, muscles, bones, and psychological well-being. His medical routine involves cardiovascular assessments, musculoskeletal tests, and mental health monitoring. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo 'Shubhanshu Shukla worked in close partnership with members of Axiom-4 crew and Expedition 73, contributing to the daily rhythm of ISS operations and supporting joint science, maintenance, and outreach efforts. He participated in integrated crew timelines, shared resources aboard the Harmony module, and coordinated multiple crossover activities, fostering international cooperation in space,' Isro said. Meanwhile, the more than 580 pounds of scientific samples and hardware from the 60+ scientific experiments covering life sciences, materials research, Earth observation, and technology demonstrations from 31 countries, will now be returned to respective agencies. Principal investigators of the experiments, including studies on microgravity, suit fabrics, muscle stimulation, micro‑algae systems, and environmental psychology, will analyse the samples and data in the coming weeks . Scientific publications are expected to take more time. Beyond science, the crew engaged in more than 20 outreach events, interacting with students, officials, and researchers worldwide. Commenting after the conclusion of the mission, Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia, said Ax-4 was a powerful demonstration of what's possible through commercial space. 'By enabling astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to carry out scientific research aboard the space station, we are supporting these nations in their contributions to human spaceflight. This mission reflects Axiom's vision of a thriving low-Earth orbit economy, where access to space is no longer limited to a few, but extends to all who seek to explore, discover, and innovate,' he added.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Stepping stone: on Shubhanshu Shukla, NASA-Axiom-ISRO tie-up
A crew of four astronauts including India's Shubhanshu Shukla completed their roughly two-week mission to the International Space Station on July 15. Mr. Shukla's trip was presumed to have been an intensive rehearsal ahead of his flight as part of India's first batch of astronauts for ISRO's 'Gaganyaan' mission, currently expected in 2027. The presumption is because the goals of Mr. Shukla's trip, which ISRO arranged for by paying north of ₹500 crore to Axiom Space, have not been officially communicated by Indian authorities. Fortunately, clarifications from Axiom and NASA have since cast more light on its purpose. While ISRO and the Department of Space are still expected to proactively disseminate what they know about their activities under Gaganyaan, not least because of the mission's ₹20,000 crore price tag, Mr. Shukla's trip ought to strengthen ISRO's preparations. Human spaceflight is a highly involved endeavour: once in space, the crew is on its own and the resources to respond to a variety of situations are limited. According to a statement ISRO published after the mission launched on June 25, Mr. Shukla and Prasanth Nair — who is also part of Gaganyaan's first cohort of astronauts and was part of the Axiom mission's backup crew — were familiarised with 'advanced spacecraft systems, emergency protocols, scientific payload operations, microgravity adaptation, space medicine, and survival traits'. As the mission pilot, per Axiom, Mr. Shukla was also coached on docking and undocking, manual operations, atmospheric reentry, and anomaly management. Onboard the space station, Mr. Shukla was exposed to operations in the Japanese and European modules, for which he and Mr. Nair were trained in Japan and Germany. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has also said that the Axiom mission cost less than what ISRO might have had to invest if it had to train Mr. Shukla on its own. In all, the NASA-Axiom-ISRO tie-up emerges as an admirable outcome, even as space agencies continue to closely guard space technologies for their strategic value. Concerns that the limitations imposed by the U.S.'s International Traffic in Arms Regulations would prevent the duo from learning much may also be laid to rest. Instead, they may be replaced by concerns about ISRO's piecemeal communication. Astronauts cut inspirational figures and appeal to all ages. As India prepares for its first human spaceflight mission, there can be no better way to build excitement than by facilitating access to India's astronauts. The lack of initiative is hard to rationalise, although it is still not too late. ISRO as well as India's soft power platform will make copious gains by expanding outreach and easing public access to the spacefarers.
