Latest news with #SubhanshuShukla
United News of India
11 hours ago
- Science
- United News of India
AX-4 mission piloted by Indian Astronaut all set for ISS mission Jun 10
Chennai, June 8 (UNI) The prestigious Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission to be piloted by an Indian Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla for the International Space Station (ISS) is all set for take off from US on June 10 Tuesday morning. The mission will take place at 0612 hrs Indian time. The Ax-4 crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station from LC-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 10 at 8:22 a.m. ET (0612 IST). It will carry four astronatus from US, India, Poland and Hungary for a 14-day docking mission in Low Earth Orbit for conducting various experiments, that included seven by ISRO. The Ax-4 mission will 'realize the return' to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the ISS. This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to Low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally. Axiom Space said "With a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration. Our previous missions set the stage and with Ax-4, we ascend even higher, bringing more nations to low-Earth orbit and expanding humanity's reach among the stars', according to Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 Mission Commander. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. The decorated IAF captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984 (the year Shukla was born) after Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet Mission. Sławosz Uznański, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, will be the second Polish astronaut since 1978, while Tibor Kapu will be the second national Hungarian astronaut since 1980. Peggy Whitson will command her second commercial human spaceflight mission, adding to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American astronaut. Ax-4 will be the second commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-4 mission stands as a beacon of opportunity for India, Poland, and Hungary, each poised to leverage this mission to advance their national space programs. The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date, underscoring the mission's global significance and collaborative nature to advance microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO). The mission emphasizes scientific portfolios led by the U.S., India, Poland (in partnership with ESA), and Hungary. It aims to boost participation in these countries by involving diverse stakeholders, showcasing the value of microgravity research, and fostering international collaboration. The studies will enhance global knowledge in human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences, demonstrating the space research capabilities of the crew's home nations. Ahead of the mission, an 18-member delegation led by ISRO Chairman and Secretary Department of Space Dr V Narayanan is in the US, ahead of Shubhanshu Shukla's spaceflight which is scheduled for liftoff from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, . The delegation visited various facilities of Axiom, the American firm that is facilitating Shukla's spaceflight training and space travel. The four-member crew will be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket which carries the Crew Dragon capsule. While ISRO is gearing for its first human flight mission Gaganyaan from the spaceport of Sriharikota, the experience gained from Shukla's flight would prove crucial for ISRO. In simple terms, Shukla's flight can be considered a precursor or stepping stone to Gaganyaan. According to reports, in a pre-launch media briefing, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said that he is excited about all aspects of the Axiom-4 spaceflight. "As I stand at the threshold of a 14-day mission to the Space Station, I reflect on the path that has brought me here. From diverse systems to advanced platforms across continents and cultures, this training has been intense and deeply rewarding. Behind every minute in space likes months, years of preparation," he remarked. For the fortnight-long mission, I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts, he added. Shukla will be also carrying a special gift as a tribute to India's first astronaut Rakesh Sharma. "I will be carrying something for him... I haven't revealed it to him. I will hand it over to him personally," he added. Both Shukla and Sharma(now retired) are Indian Air Force test pilots. Interestingly, Shukla was born in the year 1984, when Sharma became the first and only Indian to fly to space. Thanks to Shukla, the crew aboard the International Space Station will get a taste of Indian delicacies. Shukla said that he would be carrying sweets- carrot halwa, moong dal halwa, and mango nectar, for all the International crew members to taste. MORE UNI GV 0615
United News of India
27-05-2025
- Science
- United News of India
Crew of AX-4 to be piloted by Indian astronaut on quarantine ahead of June 8 ISS mission
Chennai, May 27 (UNI) All the crew members of theAxion-4 Mission to be piloted by Indian Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla for the ISS has gone on quarantine ahead of the June 8 mission. The quarantine period began on Sunday/Monday for conducting regular health checkups ahead of the launch . According to reports, the mission to the International Space Station, SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Axiom-4 mission crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the ISS from the Kennedy Space Center in the US on June 8, which was confimred by NASA and Axiom Space.. The critical phase of quarantine ensures the four astronauts remain in optimal health, free from any infections that could had any impact on the prestigious mission as Mr Shukla, will be the second astronaut from India to go to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. According to NASA, Quarantine protocols are a vital part of pre-launch preparations to minimise any health risk factor. The all crew will remainisolated till the luanch date and would be undergoing regular health checkups and final trainign exercises. Axiom Space posted on X "The first day of quarantine is complete! The #Ax4 team has landed in Florida." "They are now entering a two-week quarantine phase to stay healthy as they gear up for their launch to the @Space_Station". Earlier ina post before going on quarantine, Axiom Space said "The #Ax4 crew is on their way to quarantine. Before they go, Axiom Space employees came together to celebrate. Crew Send-off is a tradition that pays tribute to the dedication and tireless efforts of staff prior to the crew embarking on their mission. From #TeamAxiom, Godspeed #Ax4!". MORE UNI GV 0630
United News of India
28-04-2025
- Science
- United News of India
ISRO to conduct 7 microgravity experiments in Axiom-4 Mission
Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct seven microgravity research experiments during the upcoming Axiom-4 AX-4 Axiom International Space Station (ISS) mission to be piloted by Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla. The mission is scheduled for next month. ISRO on Monday said the field of microgravity research with potential applications in diverse areas such as human health, physical/ life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development and biotechnology offers significant opportunities to the national scientific community. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories/ academic institutions for implementation on International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission with ISRO's Gaganyatri. The seven experiments are Impact of Microgravity Radiation in ISS on Edible Microalgae; Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space: Relevance to Crew Nutrition; Survival, revival, reproduction and transcriptome of the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space; Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity; Analyzing Human Interaction with Electronic Displays in Microgravity; Comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate in microgravity and Impact of Microgravity on Growth and Yield Parameters in Food Crop Seeds. The institutes involved in the research experiments are the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) ; Department of Biotechnology (DBT); University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad; Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc); Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), DBT; International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB); DBT and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Department of Space and College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University. These experiments will utilise available research facilities onboard ISS. Considering the safety driven operational philosophy as well as other mission constraints of human spaceflight missions, these shortlisted microgravity experiments are undergoing stringent evaluations and reviews on ground before launch. The experience gained through this effort in implementation of these experiments will nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in the country resulting in induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in Indian Space Programme. ISRO since its inception is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and the humankind. Through 4000 sounding rockets and 236 missions achieved till date, ISRO has endeavored to build as well as enhance national capabilities in critical areas such as remote sensing, communication, navigation, disaster management and space sciences. With the approval of Gaganyaan Programme, ISRO envisages to undertake human spaceflight missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and to lay the foundation of technologies needed for an Indian human space exploration programme in the long run. The vision for space in the Amrit kaal envisages including other things, creation of an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and Indian Crewed Lunar Mission by 2040. Human space flight missions provides a strong opportunity to pursue international collaborations. The first Indian to travel to space, Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma undertook his iconic mission in 1984 through such a collaborative effort. The official state visit of Prime Minster Narendra Modi to USA in June,2023 has led to another defining chapter in Indian space programme, in terms of a collaborative international human space mission. This mission with ISRO's Gaganyatri marks the visit of first Indian ever to the International Space Station (ISS) and during this mission, ISRO's Gaganyatri will carry out seven shortlisted Indian microgravity research experiments onboard ISS. MORE UNI GV 1800
