Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Conduct 7 Experiments in Space
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is now scheduled for launch on June 8, after being previously delayed from its original date of May 29 due to technical reasons. This mission marks India’s second government-sponsored human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s historic journey in 1984 — a milestone in India's space journey.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will be part of this mission, flying aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. His participation represents a significant moment in Indian space history, coming four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s flight aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
The Ax-4 mission also includes astronauts from Poland and Hungary, marking their first-ever crewed journey to the ISS. This mission is only the second human spaceflight supported by these nations in the last 40 years. It highlights growing international cooperation in space exploration.
Shubhanshu Shukla to Conduct 7 Microgravity Experiments
Group Captain Shukla will perform seven experiments in microgravity aboard the ISS. These experiments are aimed at advancing India’s research in space-based science and technology. The mission supports long-term goals such as:
- Establishing India's own space station by 2035
- Sending Indian astronauts to the Moon by 2047
ISRO has designed India-centric experiments, including the study of space nutrition. One key focus will be sprouting Indian food crops like fenugreek (methi) and green gram (moong) in microgravity conditions aboard the ISS.
These groundbreaking experiments are expected to contribute to future deep space missions and long-duration space stays, helping India secure its place in global space exploration efforts.