Nasa to Launch India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to ISS

In a groundbreaking development, India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) by Nasa as part of the Axiom-4 mission. This announcement marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between India’s space agency, ISRO, and its US counterpart.

ISRO and Axiom Space Collaboration

The Indian Space Research Organisation‘s (ISRO) Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has formalized a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with Axiom Space, a US-based aerospace company. This partnership is pivotal for the Axiom-4 mission, which aims to ferry a diverse crew to the ISS.

Mission Details and Crew

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the primary mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission. Alongside him, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will act as the backup mission pilot. Both officers will undergo rigorous training, known as “Gaganyaatri,” starting in the first week of August.

The Axiom-4 crew will also include Peggy Whitson from the US, who will be the mission commander, Poland’s SÅ‚awosz Uznanski as Mission Specialist, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary as Mission Specialist.

During their time aboard the ISS, the mission will focus on conducting scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space outreach activities, contributing valuable data and insights to the global space community.

The Gaganyaan Mission

The Gaganyaan mission, ISRO’s ambitious human spaceflight program, aims to demonstrate India’s capability to conduct manned space missions. The mission will launch a crew of three into a 400 km orbit for a three-day journey, culminating in a controlled return to Earth in Indian waters.

Profile of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla hails from Lucknow and has been with the Indian Air Force for about 18 years. His inspiration to join the armed forces came from the valor and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the Kargil conflict. At just 14 years old during the 1999 Kargil War, Shukla was deeply moved by the heroics of the soldiers.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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