Latest news with #Falcon-9
News18
3 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Eagerly Waiting': Shubhanshu Shukla's Family, Friends Begin Countdown To Space Mission
Last Updated: Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to step onto the ISS since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. His family eagerly awaits his June 10 launch on SpaceX's rocket. As Shubhanshu Shukla is all set for his historic space journey as an Indian after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey, his family is anxiously waiting for his mission's lift-off moment. Group Captain Shukla is seven days shy of his blast off on board SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket that will propel him into history as the first Indian to step onto the International Space Station (ISS). The highly anticipated space voyage of the 39-year-old Lucknow native is scheduled for June 10 from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. This feat will also mark India's return to human spaceflight after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 space adventure. Shukla's father felt proud over his son's upcoming endeavour, news agency PTI reported. 'It's true that as our son stands on the brink of history and is set to represent India in NASA's AXIOM-4 mission to the ISS. It's an immensely proud moment not just for us but for the country, and we are praying for the success of this space mission each day," PTI quoted, Shukla's father Shambhu, a retired government employee, as saying. 'He calls us up each day to check on our well-being and to make us feel comfortable before his space trip that holds its own significance for the country," Shukla's father added. Shubhanshu has been undergoing rigorous training for a year-and-a-half period and has not met his family since then. Speaking to PTI, his elder sister Suchi Mishra revealed that Shubhanshu would always talked about aircraft in excitement in his childhood. 'We keep our conversation as normal as possible. We are eagerly waiting for the mission's success and for our brother to be back home with us," Suchi Mishra told PTI. 'As a child he had once been to an air show, and he later told me how he was fascinated by the speed and sound of the aircrafts. Then he had spoken of his dream to fly, but of course there was no telling at the time how quickly he would embrace his dream. As an Indian and as his sister, it's definitely a very proud moment, for this space journey of my brother is carrying with them the hopes and blessings of a billion Indians," Suchi added. Shubhanshu's 14-day space flight is being seen as preparatory to the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) own Gaganyaan human-spaceflight programme panned for 2027. The City Montessori School (CMS), from where Shukla received education from the beginning till grade 12, is also brimming with excitement. To inspire its students, the school management is making special arrangements to watch the action live on the D-day. Over 62,000 students across all its branches will be watching to celebrate Shukla's journey from classrooms to space, said CMS manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon. 'We are all behind Shubhanshu and praying for his success, as his journey also embodies our motto of 'Jai Jagat' one that will inspire each student to aim for the stars," Kingdon told PTI. It was sheer providence that saw Shukla take his National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, his father recalled. 'Some of his CMS classmates had brought up a form for NDA. One of them realized that he was overage by a few days and inquired from Shubhanshu if he would like to apply instead. That's how it all started." Shambhu still remembers the exact moment when the family got the news of Shukla's selection for the NDA. 'Now, of course, the phones keep buzzing incessantly as my son is set to represent India in NASA's AXIOM-4 mission to the ISS. But, truth be told, back then in 2001-2, we had a landline phone on which one of Shubhanshu's friends had called. Mistaking me for my son, he had excitedly shared Shubhanshu's result. That's how we came to know about it. After that he went to take his interview and got selected there," said Shambhu. He added that the family aspired to see him as a civil servant. But that was then. 'Back then we nursed that dream but today we feel so proud of his achievements as we bask in reflected glory," said the father. First Published:
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 hours ago
- Science
- First Post
Why soft toy will accompany India's Shubhanshu Shukla in Axiom-4 mission to ISS
When the Axiom 4 mission crew will launch into space, they will take along with them a small soft toy—a swan. Named 'Joy', the white plushie has been selected as the mission's zero-gravity indicator. However, the selection of the swan soft toy holds a deep and emotional significance for the four-membered crew, which includes Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla read more As soon as 'Joy', the soft toy swan detaches and begins to drift, the Axiom 4 crew will know they've left Earth's Space When the Falcon-9 rocket blasts off from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre on June 10, it won't just be carrying astronauts and scientific equipment aboard. Floating alongside the Axiom 4 mission crew in the SpaceX Dragon capsule will be a small plush swan named 'Joy'. This cuddly soft toy isn't just along for the ride—it serves a special purpose. In line with a long-standing space tradition, astronauts bring a small object to float freely once the spacecraft reaches orbit, visibly marking the moment they enter weightlessness. As soon as 'Joy' detaches and begins to drift, the crew will know they've left Earth's grip. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But beyond being just a zero-gravity indicator, 'Joy' holds a much deeper and emotional value for each of the astronauts aboard. Here's what the small, cuddly swan means to them. Why Axiom-4 crew choose a swan soft toy? At a pre-flight virtual press conference, each member of the four-person international crew contributed to selecting the swan as a unifying cultural symbol. For Isro Gaganyatri and the pilot of the Axiom 4 mission, Shubanshu Shukla , it carries deep religious and philosophical meaning. 'In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of goddess Saraswati, symbolising wisdom, learning and purity. Swan is believed to have the rare ability to separate milk from water, representing purity, wisdom and grace,' he said. 'Carrying this symbol reminds me of the delicate balance between knowledge and pressure, and it keeps me grounded in the values I hold dear. I feel inspired, fully prepared and confident as I embark on this journey,' Shukla added. Upon reaching space, Shukla will become the second Indian to travel to space, after Rakesh Sharma became the first four decades ago. At a pre-flight virtual press conference, each member of the four-person international crew contributed to selecting the swan as a unifying cultural symbol. Image courtesy: Axiom Space Commander of the mission and America's most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson said, 'Joy represents the shared aspirations of three nations united in their return to human space flight. The swan is rich in cultural symbolism, stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungary. Through Joy, we'll celebrate our diversity and our unity in the shared journey of space exploration.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The mission, operated by Texas-based Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and Nasa, will transport four astronauts, Mission Commander Peggy Whitson (US), Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) to the International Space Station (ISS) for a two-week stay. Shukla will be one of four astronauts taking part in the Axiom-4 mission. X/@NASASpaceOps 'The biggest journey is about to start in just couple of days. I still do not realize how big this moment will be,' said mission specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski. 'This will be such a joy, just as the name of our extra passenger in our Dragon and on the ISS.' Also read: What is Axiom-4 Mission that India's Sudhanshu Shukla will pilot to space? The curious tradition of carrying a soft toy to space It may sound whimsical, but taking a soft toy into space has become a time-honoured tradition among astronauts. The practice of flying zero-gravity indicators dates back to 1961, when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin carried a small doll on his historic Vostok mission. The idea was simple: when the doll began to float, it signalled the moment Gagarin had officially entered weightlessness. Since then, many Russian crews have continued the tradition, often choosing dolls picked out by their children to accompany them into orbit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The custom eventually made its way to the United States after the space shuttle era, with crewed capsules like those from SpaceX and Boeing, as well as Nasa's Artemis missions, now regularly including soft toys as zero-g indicators. Once aboard the International Space Station, the newest plush astronaut, 'Joy' the swan, will join a quirky lineup of past companions. Among them: 'Droog', a crocheted origami crane from SpaceX's Crew-10 mission, and an angel blowing a horn, selected by the Soyuz MS-27 crew. Joy, Axiom-4 space mission: It may sound whimsical, but taking a soft toy into space has become a time-honoured tradition among astronauts. Image courtesy: Axiom Space 'A team that has joy is a team that is healthy,' said Kapu. 'That has become my personal motto because it captures the essence of this crew. We are focused, we are committed, but above all, we are joyful, and the joy is a sign of trust, resilience, and in my mind, friendship. So in the spirit of sharing that joy, we wanted to bring one more crew member with us, a symbol of what holds us together.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It's believed that Joy is the first swan to serve as a zero-gravity indicator. While Northrop Grumman—an aerospace company that resupplies the space station- did once create swan dolls inspired by its Cygnus cargo vehicles, they weren't used in the same symbolic way. From floating dolls to plush swans, this unique tradition continues to bring a personal, heartwarming touch to space missions—one soft toy at a time. With input from agencies
NDTV
6 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Indian Astronaut's 'Swan' Soft Toy And A Goddess Saraswati Connection
New Delhi: When the Falcon-9 rocket lifts off from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre on June 10, it will carry more than four astronauts and research gear into low Earth orbit. With them will be a small, cuddly, soft toy - a swan. At a pre-flight virtual press conference, the Axiom-4 crew unveiled the mission's zero-gravity indicator, a traditional token carried onboard by astronauts to visually signal the moment the spacecraft reaches orbit and enters weightlessness. This time, the indicator is a swan doll named 'Joy'. It broadly represents the vehicle on which the Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, travels. Joy is white in colour like a swan and has a black and yellow beak and is the size of one's palm. Each member of the four-person international crew contributed to selecting the swan as a unifying cultural symbol. For Group Captain Shukla, it carries deep religious and philosophical significance. "Swan is believed to have the rare ability to separate milk from water, representing purity, wisdom and grace. Carrying this symbol reminds me of the delicate balance between knowledge and pressure, and it keeps me grounded in the values I hold dear. I feel inspired, fully prepared and confident as I embark on this journey," Mr Shukla said. Astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Commander of the Axiom Mission which is also referred to as Mission Akash Ganga said, "The doll will float freely inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule as a marker of microgravity for cameras and the crew. More than just a companion, Joy will signal our arrival in microgravity shortly after launch. Joy represents the shared aspirations of three nations united in their return to human space flight. The swan is rich in cultural symbolism, stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungary. Through Joy, we'll celebrate our diversity and our unity in the shared journey of space exploration." "I call upon every 'Bharatvasi' to join us, participate, engage and dream boldly about the future," Group Captain Shukla said at a press conference. The Axiom-4 mission was originally scheduled for launch on May 29. It was subsequently rescheduled to June 8 and is now confirmed for June 10 at 5:52 pm IST. Axiom Space confirmed the new schedule during the virtual media briefing, citing readiness of the rocket being delayed due to weather conditions. The mission, operated by Texas-based Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA, will transport four astronauts, Mission Commander Peggy Whitson (US), Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) to the International Space Station (ISS) for a two-week stay. Group Captain Shukla becomes only the second Indian to fly into space, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11. He also becomes the first Indian citizen to participate in an international, commercially funded human spaceflight mission involving scientific experiments co-developed with multiple Indian agencies. For Poland and Hungary, the flight marks the first time either nation has sent an astronaut to the ISS.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Shukla to International Space Station postponed to June 10
Axiom Space's mission to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others, has been postponed to June 10 at 5:52 pm IST, onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The announcement was made during a virtual press conference with the Axiom-4 mission crew members, who are currently in quarantine before their travel to the ISS. The spaceflight was originally scheduled for May 29 and then rescheduled to June 8. 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 Mr. 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to interact with the Axiom-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 prime minister from space. Mr. 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 the success of the mission. Even stars are attainable, Jai Hind,' Mr. Shukla said. Mr. Shukla said he would be carrying Indian delicacies such as mango nectar, moong dal halwa and carrot halwa on the space flight. Besides Mr. Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European nations' first travel to the International Space Station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities. The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS. Mr. Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems, vital for future long-duration space travel. ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research programme. It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (Fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions.
Mint
a day ago
- Health
- Mint
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission pushed to June 10
Axiom Space's upcoming mission to the International Space Station, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed to June 10. Originally slated for launch on June 8, the mission will now lift off two days later aboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984, astronaut Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space. Also Read | Who is Shubhanshu Shukla? IAF pilot to go to International Space Station Apart from Shukla, who is the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Shubham Shukla's experiments on ISS Shubham Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said that Shubhanshu Shukla's experiments hold immense importance for future space missions, including the Gaganyaan project. Shukla's research will also focus on skeletal muscle dysfunction in space and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies to counter these effects, Jitendra Singh told reporters. The Indian astronaut will study physical, cognitive and physiological responses in space as well as the impact of utilising continuous electronic displays in microgravity, which is an important aspect for future long-duration space missions, reported PTI. The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS.
