Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla in SpaceX Dragon

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla begins his journey in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
He is part of the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission to the ISS.
The crew will spend around 10 days conducting experiments in microgravity.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has embarked on a historic journey as part of the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission, marking his first experience inside SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The mission, which aims to take the crew to the International Space Station (ISS), is a significant milestone for Indian space exploration. As the crew prepares for this exciting venture, they recently visited SpaceX headquarters for essential suit measurements and pressurization tests.

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the mission commander, shared updates about the crew’s training, stating they feel “right at home” after completing a comprehensive onboarding process in Houston. This training is crucial for ensuring the safety and comfort of astronauts during their mission. The suit measurements and pressurization tests are essential steps, allowing the crew to acclimate to the Dragon spacecraft’s environment.

The visit to SpaceX also marked the crew’s first introduction to the Dragon spacecraft, which is designed for both cargo and crew missions to the ISS. As part of the Ax-4 mission, Group Captain Shukla, along with his fellow astronauts, is expected to spend approximately 10 days aboard the ISS, where they will conduct various scientific experiments and research activities. This mission is a part of a new era in commercial spaceflight, enabling private citizens and researchers to access the microgravity environment of the ISS.

Ax-4 will be the fourth mission organized by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA. NASA has indicated its intention to continue using the Dragon spacecraft through 2025, as the Boeing Starliner requires more time for fixes. As training progresses, Shubhanshu Shukla and his crewmates will continue to familiarize themselves with the Dragon spacecraft and the ISS’s complex systems, preparing for their significant role in this pioneering mission.