Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission has made headlines as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). The groundbreaking journey began on Wednesday, with Group Captain Shukla piloting the mission alongside a diverse crew that includes esteemed former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. The crew was visibly excited as they shared moments in the spacecraft, recently posted online by Axiom Space.
This monumental moment marks Shukla as the second Indian in space, following cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma's journey aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984. The Axiom-4 mission took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 02:31 EDT, with docking scheduled for Thursday at 07:00 EDT. The mission, a collaborative effort involving NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX, highlights a resurgence in European astronauts participating in space travel after decades.
Group Captain Shukla's two-week stay on the ISS will revolve around a plethora of scientific research, with an impressive 60 experiments lined up, of which seven have been designed by ISRO. The Indian space agency, which invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) for Shukla's training and seat on Ax-4, believes this experience will be crucial as India aims for its first human spaceflight by 2027. Additionally, ambitious plans are underway for a functioning space station by 2035 and future lunar missions by 2040.
During a live uplink session with Axiom Space shortly after launch, Shukla expressed awe at his first experience of space. "What a ride! It’s an amazing feeling to be just floating in space," he remarked with enthusiasm. He humorously mentioned the challenges of adjusting to zero gravity, stating, "I’ve been sleeping a lot, which is a great sign," indicating a positive adaptation to his new environment.
Accompanying the crew is a delightful toy swan named Joy, an affectionate nod to the mascot of Ax-4, which serves as a "zero-G indicator." Shukla articulated the significance behind Joy, symbolizing wisdom amidst distractions in today's fast-paced world.
Commander Peggy Whitson eloquently named their spacecraft "Grace," noting, "It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth." This sentiment speaks to the broader mission philosophy where space exploration serves humanity at large.
As the mission unfolds, the world watches closely, anticipating the contributions this multinational team will bring to the field of space science while representing a significant step for India's venture into the cosmos.
This monumental moment marks Shukla as the second Indian in space, following cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma's journey aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984. The Axiom-4 mission took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 02:31 EDT, with docking scheduled for Thursday at 07:00 EDT. The mission, a collaborative effort involving NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX, highlights a resurgence in European astronauts participating in space travel after decades.
Group Captain Shukla's two-week stay on the ISS will revolve around a plethora of scientific research, with an impressive 60 experiments lined up, of which seven have been designed by ISRO. The Indian space agency, which invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) for Shukla's training and seat on Ax-4, believes this experience will be crucial as India aims for its first human spaceflight by 2027. Additionally, ambitious plans are underway for a functioning space station by 2035 and future lunar missions by 2040.
During a live uplink session with Axiom Space shortly after launch, Shukla expressed awe at his first experience of space. "What a ride! It’s an amazing feeling to be just floating in space," he remarked with enthusiasm. He humorously mentioned the challenges of adjusting to zero gravity, stating, "I’ve been sleeping a lot, which is a great sign," indicating a positive adaptation to his new environment.
Accompanying the crew is a delightful toy swan named Joy, an affectionate nod to the mascot of Ax-4, which serves as a "zero-G indicator." Shukla articulated the significance behind Joy, symbolizing wisdom amidst distractions in today's fast-paced world.
Commander Peggy Whitson eloquently named their spacecraft "Grace," noting, "It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth." This sentiment speaks to the broader mission philosophy where space exploration serves humanity at large.
As the mission unfolds, the world watches closely, anticipating the contributions this multinational team will bring to the field of space science while representing a significant step for India's venture into the cosmos.
