Shubhanshu Piloting Axiom-4

Blog Credit : Trupti Thakur

Image Courtesy : Google

India’s First Astronaut piloting Axiom-4 (Ax-4)

In 2025, India will make history again in space with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla piloting the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. This mission will be India’s first human presence on the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second government-sponsored human spaceflight from India, after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.

Background of the mission

The Ax-4 mission is part of a bigger plan between India and the United States. This collaboration was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the U.S. To make it happen, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed an agreement with Axiom Space, an American company that specializes in sending humans to space.

Astronaut Selection

Shubhanshu Shukla, the astronaut chosen to pilot the mission, is a test pilot in the Indian Air Force. He will be backed up by Group Captain Prashanth Nair, also from the Indian Air Force. They will join an international team led by Peggy Whitson, an experienced astronaut in charge of the mission’s operations and training.

Mission Training

Astronauts like Shubhanshu Shukla undergo a lot of preparation before they go into space. Their training covers everything from how to operate spacecraft to handling emergencies and conducting scientific experiments. Shukla will focus on learning how to navigate and dock the spacecraft, as well as how to help with research while staying 14 days on the ISS.

During his time on the ISS, Shukla will perform five experiments in microgravity. These experiments will not only help with scientific research but also contribute to India’s future space missions, especially the Gaganyaan program, which aims to send India’s first crewed mission into space.

Technological Aspects

The mission will use advanced technology from  Space X, including the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft. The Dragon is known for its automated systems that make docking with the ISS easier and its advanced life support systems, which help keep astronauts safe.

The Ax-4 mission will involve astronauts from Poland and Hungary, making it a truly international effort. This highlights the growing collaboration between countries in space exploration and paves the way for more nations to participate in future space missions.

About the Axiom-4 mission

The Axiom-4 mission is part of NASA’s private astronaut program, which allows commercial companies like Axiom Space to send astronauts to the ISS. This will be the fourth mission in the series, following Axiom-1, Axiom-2, and Axiom-3. The Crew Dragon spacecraft will be used for the mission, and the crew may include private astronauts or commercial participants. The mission’s goals are to conduct scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and strengthen international partnerships for future space exploration.

Overview:

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as the first Indian in space in 40 years.

Shukla has been named the ‘prime’ astronaut for the groundbreaking ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

To date, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma remains the sole Indian to have ventured into space, accomplishing this feat during an Indo-Soviet mission in 1984.

 

ISRO said Shukla, 39, along with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, 48, have been selected for the Axiom-4 mission, a collaboration between India and the United States.

While Shukla is the primary astronaut, Nair serves as the backup, ready to step in if necessary. The mission underscores India’s growing capabilities in space exploration, building on the legacy of Rakesh Sharma, the only Indian to have been in space till now.

Shukla and Nair are among four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted for India’s first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, tentatively set for next year.

Their training will intensify over the next eight weeks, preparing them for this historic journey. Both officers have undergone rigorous preparation, demonstrating India’s commitment to its ambitious space program.

The Axiom-4 mission, between private space company Axiom Space and NASA, will be launched by a SpaceX rocket. Joining Shukla on the mission are astronauts from Poland, Hungary, and the United States. The agreement for India’s participation was finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States last year.

The Axiom-4 spacecraft will dock with the ISS for 14 days, carrying not only astronauts but also cargo and supplies for the station. The exact launch date remains undecided, with NASA’s website suggesting a timeframe no earlier than October 2024, and Poland’s space agency indicating the mission might occur next year.

A fighter pilot from Lucknow, UP, Shukla was commissioned in the IAF in 2006 and has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flying experience across various aircraft including Sukhoi-30 MKIs and MiG-21s. Backup astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, from Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, is a recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy, Nair has over 3,000 hours of flying experience and has served as a Category-A flying instructor and test pilot.

His extensive background includes commanding a Sukhoi-30 squadron and training at prestigious institutions like the United States Staff College.

The Gaganyaan mission will benefit from the experience gained through this ISS mission, furthering India’s objectives in human spaceflight. ISRO Chairman Somanath highlighted the mutual benefits of the Indo-US collaboration, emphasizing how this mission will enhance the Gaganyaan project by integrating advanced training and insights from the ISS.

 

 

 

Blog By : Trupti Thakur