Axiom-4 Mission to International Space Station

The Axiom-4 mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming only the second Indian to travel to space. The mission took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with Shukla serving as the designated pilot for the Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Key Details of the Mission

• The mission includes astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson.
• The theme of the mission is ‘Realize the Return’, highlighting a return to space for Poland and Hungary after more than four decades.
• After a 28-hour journey, the spacecraft will dock with the International Space Station, where the astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and outreach events.

Shubhanshu Shukla's Contribution

• Shukla, a fighter and test pilot with the Indian Air Force, boasts over 2,000 hours of flying experience.
• He is among the four IAF pilots selected for the Gaganyaan programme, ISRO's maiden human spaceflight mission.
• Shukla's participation is seen as the beginning of India's human spaceflight programme, and he delivered an inspiring message to his countrymen, emphasizing national pride and the future of India's space journey.

Prime Minister's Acknowledgment

Prime Minister highlighted the mission as a significant achievement for India, stating that Shukla carries the hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

Challenges and Collaborations

• The mission faced multiple delays due to weather and technical issues, but eventually launched successfully.
• ISRO Chairman present in the US expressed satisfaction over the mission's safety and success.
• A new collaboration between ISRO and NASA in 2023 facilitated Shukla’s participation in this private mission.

Significance of Axiom Space

• The mission is operated by Axiom Space, a private US company, using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.
• NASA provided essential facilities and training, showcasing a global collaboration in space exploration.