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News18
3 days ago
- Science
- News18
The Last Hour: What Happens Before India's Joint ISS Mission Begins Its Fiery Descent?
Last Updated: Undocked from ISS, the SpaceX Dragon spent a day circling the Earth, waiting for the perfect alignment to begin its safe re-entry which is set to begin at 2.30pm After a year-long intensive training programme culminating in 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), India's first-ever joint mission to the ISS entered its final leg with the departure of the four crew members. The mission involved nearly Rs 550 crore investment from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The SpaceX Dragon, carrying Axiom Mission-4 crew, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, autonomously undocked from the ISS at 4.45pm on Monday, and began its return journey with a series of departure burns. The engines fired multiple times to move it away from the ISS so that the two do not collide. Once it settled into a safe orbit, the crew also changed out of their pressure suits and took time to rest. The spacecraft spent the night circling Earth waiting for the perfect alignment too begin its safe re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Meanwhile, the ground teams of SpaceX and Axiom Space closely monitored its trajectory, while keeping a watchful eye on the weather conditions off the California coast, where the capsule is expected to splashdown. The entire return journey is nearly 22.5 hours long. THE LAST CRUCIAL HOUR: A FIERY DESCENT Once it reaches its designated location in space on Tuesday afternoon, the crew will suit up in their pressure suits again. Around 2.07pm, the Dragon 'Grace' will initiate its final de-orbit burn to lower its altitude, and begin its descent back to Earth. Shortly thereafter, at around 2.26pm IST, it will detach its trunk—the part carrying solar panels, and other parts which are no longer required. Four minutes later, it will close its nose cone, which protects the hardware and sensors for re-entry to begin. The Dragon carrying the four crew members and nearly 263 kgs pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware, will then begin its fiery re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, bolting through the searing temperatures over 1,600℃ with a speed of nearly 6 kms/second or more with its heat shield protecting the capsule. At around 2.57pm, the drag parachutes will be deployed when it's nearly 5-6 kms from the Earth, followed by main parachutes at 2 kms, which will bring down its speed dramatically. THE SPLASHDOWN If all goes as per the planned schedule, Dragon Grace will splashdown into the Pacific Ocean off the California coast precisely by 3.01pm. The ship and the recovery teams are already on standby to assist the astronauts when they exit the Dragon capsule, following which they will be taken to Houston for medical check-ups and further evaluation. Astronauts often feel dizzy or disoriented upon return from microgravity conditions in space, so the four-crew members are expected to remain under quarantine for at least 10 days, allowing them time to acclimatise to the conditions on Earth. The 18-day mission—India's first to the International Space Station—marks a significant milestone for the space agency, which is now aiming to undertake its own human spaceflight in 2027. It was also the first-ever private spaceflight collaboration undertaken by ISRO with the US space agency, Axiom Space, which also completed its fourth private spaceflight. Apart from Shukla, who was serving as the main pilot, the mission was led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, and two mission specialists from European Space Agency (ESA) Project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary—also on their maiden visit to the ISS. The astronauts began their journey on June 25 aboard SpaceX Falcon9 carrying nearly 60 experiments from across countries, including seven from ISRO. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 08:48 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla has a phone call with the ISRO chief while in outer space, updates him on Axiom-4's scientific experiments
Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian astronaut to go on a mission to outer space as part of Axiom-4, gave an update to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman V Narayanan on Sunday, July 6. In a phone call with the ISRO chief, which was first reported on by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Shubhanshu expressed his gratitude for the efforts of ISRO in ensuring Axiom-4's success, while also updating him on the particulars of how the mission was progressing. Shubhanshu Shukla's work with Axiom-4 includes scientific studies on bone health and radiation exposure. During the call, ISRO chairman Narayanan expressed his eagerness to discuss the Axiom-4 mission after Shubhanshu's return to Earth, as it would help with developing India's own Ganganyaan program. Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission is conducting experiments Private Astronaut Missions are redefining access to space for the larger global community. We are at the forefront of the commercial space revolution, presenting unparalleled opportunities for countries like India to #ExperienceSpace. #Ax4 — Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 28, 2025 Axiom-4 is taking advantage of its time in outer space to conduct missions studying bone health and radiation exposure. The bone health studies involve analyzing how bones change their behavior under microgravity conditions. This analysis could go on to further research into combating osteoporosis, among other bone diseases. The radiation exposure studies, on the other hand, are geared towards improving the safety conditions at the International Space Station (ISS), allowing for longer-term space missions to be safely planned out and executed. Aside from Shubhanshu, the Axiom-4 mission crew also includes Poland's Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, and the United States's Peggy Whitson. To Peggy, Shux, Sławosz, and Tibor, here are some loving words to commemorate this historic moment. #Ax4 — Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 25, 2025 Shubhanshu's own callsign is 'Shux', which is reflected in some of the updates given by Axiom Space about the mission's experiments, such as one about micro-algae, which said: "Shux deployed samples for the Space Micro Algae investigation. These tiny organisms might one day help sustain life in space, providing food, fuel, and even breathable air. But first, we need to understand how they grow and adapt in microgravity." ISRO plans to leverage Axiom-4 findings for the Ganganyaan program First Indian Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla was received in the International Space Station on June 26, 2025. Today is the historical day when he had interaction with Hon'ble PM of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji. This interaction of Prime Minister inspires and motivates 140 crore… — ISRO (@isro) June 28, 2025 Upon Shubhanshu Shukla's return to the Earth, ISRO will leverage his experiences on the Axiom-4 mission to further India's Ganganyaan program. This program is intended to demonstrate India's own capacity to launch manned spaceflight missions into low orbit above the Earth, so it will have a lot to learn from Axiom Space's missions.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
VTU to confer honourary doctorates on ISRO chairman, two others
The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) will present honorary doctorates to V. Narayanan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Secretary, Department of Space, Prashant Prakash, founder, Excel India, and C.S. Sunder Raju, Chancellor, Atria University, Bengaluru. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will present these honoris casa Doctor of Science degrees at the Convocation-1 at the university campus in Belagavi on July 4. He will also award undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD degrees, as well as research degrees and integrated dual degrees to students. Ajay Kumar Sood, Padmashri awardee and Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India will be the chief guest and deliver the convocation address. Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar will be present. Over 60,600 degrees, including BSc Honours, research, PhD and integrated dual degrees will be presented. Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar, Registrar (Evaluation) T.N. Sreenivasa and other officers were present at the press conference. 'VTU has taken several initiatives like facilitating research and teaching collaborations and faculty and student exchange with high-quality foreign HEIs, to promote Karnataka as a global study destination and internationalisation of education. It is set to help our students who wish to go to abroad for higher studies by announcing calendar of events in line with the International Academic Calendar so that our students will not face any hurdles and difficulties in admissions process at foreign universities,' Mr. Vidyashankar told reporters in Belagavi on Tuesday (July 1). 'In view of the above and also to avoid delay in award of degree certificates to graduates as many companies and public sector entities are instructing to submit degree certificates at the time of joining, University is planned to conduct two convocations in a year since 2023,'' he added.
India Gazette
30-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India to speed up launch of military satellites media
New Delhi is aiming to enhance its space-based surveillance capabilities to deal with potential conflicts India has fast-tracked the deployment of 52 surveillance satellites to enhance its space-based defense capabilities, according to media reports on Monday. The rollout is expected to begin with the launch of the first satellite in April 2026, and the entire constellation is slated to be fully operational by the end of 2029, India Today reported. The $3.57 billion project aims to provide real-time monitoring and improve border security, it added. Once deployed, the satellite constellation will offer high-resolution imagery and reduced revisit times, enabling India's army, navy, and air force to closely monitor movements within hostile territory. Indian space agency officials have said the country aims tomitigate threatsby deploying a diverse array of satellites in different orbits that are capable of tracking the movement of troops and photographing thousands of kilometers along the borders with neighboring China and Pakistan. In its recent military confrontation with Pakistan, India is believed to have used indigenous and commercial satellite-based tracking to destroy suspected terror bases in the neighboring country, local media reports said. India's Integrated Defense Staff is overseeing the development of the 52 defense surveillance satellites, which will operate in both low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit, according to reports. The satellite network is designed to serve as a strategic deterrent and countermeasure to China's advancing anti-satellite capabilities, including kinetic weapons and electronic warfare systems. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, chief of the Integrated Defense Staff, was cited by India Today as saying that the country should be able to "detect, identify, and track potential threats" while they are still in their early stages, such as in launch areas, airfields, and bases located deep within enemy territory. A key aspect of the project is the significant involvement of private industry, as the state-owned Indian Space Research Organization intends to transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to private firms, allowing for swift launches in emergency situations. (
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
From Ram Lalla's clothes to spacesuit badge, designer goes the extra mile
letters@ Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Sourced) : The Indian flag adorns one side of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's spacesuit and the other has a badge specially curated for the journey by his friend and designer Manish Tripathi (39). Tripathi, a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi graduate, has also worked on designing clothes for Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Shukla's junior from school days, Tripathi came in contact with the astronaut with the help of a common school friend Vishal Srivastava. 'We exchanged ideas and I began working on the project in August 2024. I did not use any advanced equipment or tools to design the badge as I wanted it to be made of my own creative thoughts. I conceived every detail, ideated and sketched the badge by hand,' Tripathi said. He said while the idea of making the badge was conceived collaboratively it was approved and ordered by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 'We wanted the badge to highlight the glorious past, the present works and the future aspirations which can inspire the next generation. The badge includes Aryabhatta, Gaganyaan, Jantar Mantar, Lunar Legacy of the country and astronomical signs alongside the Sun, which is also revered as a deity in India,' Tripathi added. He said that he designed, modulated, redesigned and re-visited the previous designs several times before they came to a consensus. The final one was woven using a computerised weaving technique.
