Latest news with #IndianAirForceGroup
India Today
8 hours ago
- Science
- India Today
Ax-4 launch postponed: Not just weather, SpaceX also found Falcon-9 engine issues
As SpaceX prepares to launch Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station aboard the Axiom-4 mission, the company is addressing last-minute technical snags alongside weather-related Falcon 9 rocket, slated for liftoff on June 11 at 5:30 pm IST, faced a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak and a thrust vector control (TVC) system malfunction in recent pre-launch checks, underscoring the complexities of reusable rocket a static fire test, engineers identified a LOX leak in the booster's upper stage—a recurring issue from its previous mission. William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, explained, 'We discovered we had not fully repaired the booster during refurbishment or did not find the leak initially. We're installing a purge to mitigate it if it persists'. The Falcon 9 uses a mix of rocket-grade kerosene and supercooled liquid oxygen, making leak containment critical for stable combustion and thrust a TVC anomaly was detected in the booster's fifth engine, which directs thrust to maneuver the rocket during ascent and confirmed the affected components were replaced, and all repairs will be completed ahead of the launch window. These fixes follow a pattern of recent Falcon 9 anomalies, including a February 2025 LOX leak that caused an uncontrolled reentry over remains another variable, with a 20% probability of violating launch conditions on June 11 due to isolated showers. Backup opportunities on June 12 carry a 25% risk. Despite these hurdles, SpaceX conducted a successful dry dress rehearsal, and the crew remains on schedule. Group Captain Shukla's mission marks a milestone for India's space ambitions, aligning with the Indian Air Force's vision to expand its role in space exploration. The IAF publicly endorsed the mission, calling it a 'new chapter in the Indian Space Odyssey'.As SpaceX navigates technical and meteorological challenges, the launch underscores the delicate balance between reusability innovation and operational reliability in modern rocketry. Success would not only advance international collaboration but also reinforce India's growing influence in InMust Watch
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Lucknow's Shubhanshu Shukla set for space history
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Lucknowite in space. The historic moment will come when Axiom Space's fourth commercial mission to the International Space Station lifts off onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida (USA) on Wednesday evening. The lift-off was initially scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed by a day due to weather conditions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday informed that the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed from June 10. ISRO cited weather conditions for the postponement of the Axiom-4 or Ax4 mission, which will now take off on June 11 with the targeted time of launch being 5:30 pm (8 am EST). Ahead of the lift-off, his mother Asha Shukla and father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, who live in the state capital's Triveni Nagar, said, 'It's a proud moment for the family. First, he got selected into NDA (National Defence Academy), the air force and ISRO. All these happened one after the other.' 'We are praying for the success of the mission which our son is leading and which holds enormous importance for the country,' Shambhu Dayal Shukla further said. Shubhanshu's elder sister Shuchi Misra said, 'We are eagerly looking forward to the launch. Shux (Shubhanshu's nickname) is incredibly focused yet brimming with joy. Before news of the postponement came, Shubhanshu Shukla's alma mater – a prominent city school – had planned to organise a grand public watch party to celebrate the lift-off. 'We will begin our programme at 3.30 pm on Wednesday as the mission launch has been postponed,' a school official said. The programme was initially planned for Tuesday to enable students, teachers, civic leaders, defence personnel and Shukla's family members to participate. Several hoardings congratulating the 39-year-old Lucknow-born Indian Air Force pilot have come up across the state capital. Shubhanshu will pilot the SpaceX Crew Dragon with NASA senior Dr Peggy Whitson and crewmates from Poland and Hungary on a 14-day research flight. The Lucknow-born Shubhanshu Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space, 41 years after his idol Rakesh Sharma undertook a spaceflight in 1984 onboard the erstwhile Soviet Union's Soyuz spacecraft for an eight-day stay in orbit. In March 2024, Shukla made headlines as he was one of the four selected for ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission. 'Venturing into the unknown comes with the domain knowledge of being a test pilot,' Shubhanshu Shukla had told HT over phone in 2024. Shukla had then confessed that the curiosity for the unknown was what drove him to apply for this mission and that the feeling of having been selected took a while to sink in. 'It was all so fast and we were so busy at the time. It only sunk in when we had already left for training in Russia. The feeling sank in very gradually,' he had said. He also shared that while he had no apprehensions about the mission, 'harbouring a little bit of anxiety is only sensible as it helps one to introspect.' (WITH AGENCY INPUTS)
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
India's new space hero: Shubhanshu Shukla set to make history on ISS
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida, June 4: Next week, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, marking a historic moment as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla joins the crew to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Scheduled for liftoff on June 10 at 08:22 EDT (12:22 GMT; 17:52 IST), the mission will see Shukla become only the second Indian ever to go to space and the first to visit the ISS. The flight's significance has captured widespread attention in India, coming 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma became the country's first astronaut during his 1984 Soviet Soyuz mission, where he spent nearly eight days in orbit. Ax-4's four-member international crew includes mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, a veteran with two prior ISS commands, hundreds of days in space, and 10 spacewalks under her belt. Joining them are Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both returning their nations to space after more than four decades. As pilot, Group Captain Shukla will serve as second-in-command, assisting with critical spacecraft operations during launch, docking, undocking, and re-entry. The crew has been in quarantine since May 25 to prepare for the mission. At a press conference held on Tuesday evening, the astronauts introduced 'Joy' — a small white toy swan they joked would be the 'fifth crew member' on Ax-4. Commander Whitson expressed confidence in the team, saying, 'We are good for the launch, we have completed all the training, and the team has bonded well.' Shukla shared his excitement, calling the past year 'nothing short of transformative.' 'It has been an amazing journey so far, but the best is yet to come,' he said. 'As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts. I request all Indians to pray for the success of our mission.' The 39-year-old was one of four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted last year to participate in India's maiden human spaceflight, the Gaganyaan mission, slated for 2027. Gaganyaan aims to send three astronauts into a 400km orbit for three days. India has also announced plans to build its own space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. The Ax-4 mission is a collaborative venture between NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the European Space Agency (ESA), operated commercially by Houston-based Axiom Space. The launch vehicle will be SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Crew Dragon capsule. ISRO has invested ₹5 billion (around $59 million) for Shukla's seat and training. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted the mission's importance, saying the experience gained will be 'phenomenal' for India's space programme. 'The training, exposure to facilities, and experience conducting experiments in space will be invaluable,' he added. ISRO project director Sudeesh Balan noted that Shukla has undergone rigorous physical and psychological training since August last year to prepare for this journey. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shukla joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in 2006. With over 2,000 hours of flying experience, he has piloted various aircraft including MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks. His sister, Shuchi Mishra, revealed that his entry into the Air Force was 'accidental' — a high school friend passed on a National Defence Academy application form that Shukla filled out instead, leading to his selection. She expressed immense pride, saying, 'He's a part of our family and our country's journey. We hope his trip inspires the next generation.' Aside from piloting the mission, Shukla will be involved in a packed schedule aboard the ISS, which includes engaging with Indian students through live events aimed at inspiring youth in space technology. The crew will conduct 60 scientific experiments, seven of which originate from India. ISRO's experiments focus on diverse fields such as biology, microgravity effects, and crop science. One key study will examine how spaceflight affects six varieties of crop seeds, aiming to understand how crops might be grown for future long-term space missions. Seeds will be analyzed over multiple generations to identify traits suited for space agriculture. Another experiment involves cultivating three strains of microalgae with potential applications in food, fuel, and life support systems, helping to identify strains that thrive in microgravity. ISRO will also study tardigrades — microscopic animals known for surviving extreme conditions — to observe their reproduction and revival in space. Additional research will explore muscle loss in microgravity and investigate how prolonged use of computer screens affects astronauts' physical and cognitive health, including eye movement and stress levels. These findings may influence the design of future spacecraft interfaces. As India watches closely, Group Captain Shukla's pioneering journey aboard Ax-4 promises to deepen the nation's space expertise and inspire generations to come.
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New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
IAF officer Shubhanshu Shukla set for spaceflight to International Space Station
NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will pilot the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) Mission, said he is most excited 'about the fact that we will be able to observe Earth from a good vantage point.' Speaking at a press briefing just days ahead of lift-off, Shukla added, 'I feel very confident in my team's ability to complete the mission successfully. We have trained rigorously on all tasks repeatedly.' The much-anticipated launch has been delayed again. Initially set for May 29, then June 8, it is now scheduled for June 10 at 5:52 pm IST due to operational changes and extended quarantine. The 64 million dollar Ax-4 mission is a collaboration involving Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, and ESA, and will mark a historic milestone as Shukla becomes the first Indian to set foot on the ISS. He is also the first Indian astronaut to head to space since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. 'Rakesh Sharma understands my journey and background. He has been guiding me and has given sound advice,' said Shukla. Addressing the world ahead of the mission, Shukla delivered a powerful message steeped in science, gratitude, and cultural pride. 'Even stars are attainable,' he said, reflecting on his intense and transformative training over the past few months. 'I feel deeply inspired, prepared and confident going to the ISS.' Reinforcing the symbolism of this multinational mission, commander Peggy Whitson introduced 'Joy,' the crew's zero-gravity indicator: a swan that represents 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,' she said. When asked about his inspiration, he credited Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut, as a guiding force. 'He understands my journey and has been a great mentor,' said Shukla, adding that he is carrying a special token to honour Sharma, though its details remain a surprise. Responding to whether he'll speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from orbit, Shukla confirmed there are several live events planned to engage with Indian students, the space community, and dignitaries. The Ax-4 mission, piloted by Shukla, marks a critical precursor to India's Gaganyaan mission scheduled for 2027.
Hans India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to lead key experiments aboard ISS, boosting India's space presence
In a proud moment for India, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct a series of groundbreaking scientific experiments in space as part of an international mission. Speaking on Tuesday, Dr. Singh — Minister of State for Science & Technology and the PMO — said Shukla's involvement in this high-profile mission reflects India's growing stature in global space exploration. Captain Shukla will lead studies on physical, cognitive, and physiological responses in microgravity, including the effects of prolonged electronic display exposure — crucial for planning long-term space missions. He will also explore skeletal muscle dysfunction and test potential therapies to counter its impact. One of the most anticipated experiments involves extremophiles like Tardigrades, resilient organisms that can survive harsh space environments. These tests could offer insights into the possibility of life beyond Earth. Shukla is one of four astronauts selected for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission, slated for launch in early 2027. Before that, he will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom-4 mission, with Group Captain Prasanth Nair as his designated backup. This collaboration is the result of discussions held during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States. Dr. Singh credited space sector reforms post-2014 — including opening the Sriharikota launch center to the public and welcoming private participation — as pivotal in India's ascent in NewSpace leadership. Highlighting India's goal of becoming Atmanirbhar in the space domain, Dr. Singh called these scientific missions 'game-changers' for the nation's space ecosystem. He also revealed that India's space economy is set to surge from $8 billion to $44 billion by 2047, aligning with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. Beyond space, the Minister emphasized India's renewed focus on deep ocean exploration through the Deep Ocean Mission, and clean energy via nuclear research and Bharat Small Modular Reactors — all contributing to India's commitment to Net Zero emissions by 2070.
