Context : Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He will serve as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled to launch on May 29, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The mission, operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA, will utilize the new Crew Dragon C213 spacecraft and is expected to last up to 14 days in low Earth orbit.
Relevance : GS 3(Space ,Science and Technology)
Mission Highlights
- Crew Composition: Shukla will be joined by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański (Poland/ESA), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
- Scientific Objectives: The crew will conduct approximately 60 scientific studies, including seven experiments from India focusing on:
- Microalgae growth
- Cyanobacteria behavior
- Muscle loss in microgravity
- Cognitive effects of screen use
- Salad seed cultivation
- Water bear (tardigrade) resilience
- Microbial adaptation
- Significance for India: This mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after more than four decades, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. It also serves as a precursor to ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, for which Shukla is one of the designated astronauts.
- International Collaboration: Ax-4 exemplifies global cooperation in space exploration, with astronauts from India, the USA, Poland, and Hungary participating. The mission aims to advance scientific research and foster international partnerships in space endeavors.
Conclusion : Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 not only represents a significant achievement for India’s space program but also contributes to the broader goals of international collaboration and scientific advancement in human spaceflight.
