India Selects Astronauts for Axiom-4 Mission to the ISS

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Aug 2, 2024

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India has chosen two astronaut-designates, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

India Selects Astronauts for Axiom-4 Mission to the ISS

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The two officers are among four astronaut-designates selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission, the country’s first crewed spaceflight.
It aligns with the India-U.S. joint statement during the Indian Prime Minister’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023, which envisions a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS.

Key Highlights:

ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has signed a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space Inc. for the Axiom-4 mission.
The assigned crew members will be finally approved by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission in the first week of August 2024.
This mission marks India’s first achievement in international manned space missions and also reflects its growing strength in space technology and global cooperation.

Axiom-4 Mission

Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), organised by Axiom Space Inc., is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS).
It will be launched no earlier than October 2024 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, using a Falcon 9 rocket.

Mission Duration:

The mission is planned to last 14 days.

Objective:

To benefit India’s Human Space Program, strengthen ISRO-NASA cooperation and contribute to the development of a commercial space sector.
It will involve conducting scientific research, technology demonstration experiments on the ISS, and engaging in space outreach activities.

Significance:

It represents a significant step in global space collaboration and aims to advance technology and expertise required for sustainable space living.

Future Implications:

India’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission is a precursor to future ambitions, including the Gaganyaan mission.
ISRO’s ongoing projects like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and potential missions to Venus underscore India’s commitment to exploring and understanding the universe.

India Selects Astronauts for Axiom-4 Mission to the ISS

International Space Station (ISS)

It was officially approved by President Reagan and received budget approval from the US Congress in 1984.
The Station was designed between 1984 and 1993.
It is Earth’s only microgravity laboratory.
It is a large spacecraft that orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 400 km.
It is a joint venture involving five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (European Space Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
An international crew of seven people live and work while travelling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes.
It facilitates experiments, research, and international cooperation.
The orbital outpost will continue to provide advanced research benefiting humans on and off the Earth through 2030.