Axiom-4 Mission Update: Shubhanshu Shukla's Journey to the International Space Station Rescheduled

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been rescheduled to June 11, 2025. The launch is now set for 5:30 PM IST, after being postponed from June 10 due to predicted inclement weather.

Mission Highlights

 1.Launch Details: The Axiom-4 crew will blast off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:22 AM EDT (5:52 PM IST).

 2. Crew Members: The four-member crew includes:

 3. Commander Peggy Whitson: A veteran NASA astronaut

 4. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla: Representing India, Shukla will become the first Indian to join the ISS

 5. Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu: From Hungary

 6. Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski: From Poland

 7. Mission Objectives: The crew will conduct 60 experiments, including seven planned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and five others as part of NASA's human research program. Shukla will also perform yoga poses in space and capture his experiences through photos and videos.

Activities on the ISS

During their 14-day stay, the crew is expected to:

1. Interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and space industry leaders

2. Conduct Microgravity Experiments: Studying the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, muscle regeneration, and human interaction with electronic displays

3. Expose Seeds to Macrobiotic Conditions: Shubhanshu Shukla will expose seeds to microgravity conditions and bring them back to Earth for further study

The Axiom-4 mission marks a significant milestone for India, as Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to join the ISS and only the second Indian in space, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's historic spaceflight.