Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members, has entered quarantine in preparation for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), a US-based private space firm announced on Sunday. The mission is set for lift-off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida no earlier than June 8 at 6:41 pm IST.
The Axiom-4 mission is a collaborative effort involving Axiom Space, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This mission marks a historic moment as it will be the first time an Indian astronaut travels to the ISS.
During the 14-day mission, the astronauts will carry out microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and global outreach activities while docked to the orbiting laboratory. Shubhanshu Shukla, who is also one of the four astronaut-designates for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, will serve as the pilot for the Axiom-4 mission. The mission commander will be Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and current director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space.
A ceremonial send-off was held at Axiom Space before the crew entered quarantine. The event paid tribute to the dedication and hard work of the team supporting the mission. “I am sure this mission will be a success,” Shukla said during the send-off.
ISRO has invested ₹550 crore to facilitate Shukla’s participation in this commercial mission, with the experience gained expected to support India’s Gaganyaan project, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space on an indigenous spacecraft.
Joining Shukla on the Axiom-4 mission are astronauts Slawosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, rounding out the four-member crew.
The mission is anticipated to strengthen international collaboration in space exploration and provide invaluable data and experience to further India’s presence in human spaceflight.
Sources By Agencies
