Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Become Second Indian in Space with SpaceX Launch on June 8
Why in News?
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished test pilot from the Indian Air Force, is poised to become the second Indian to travel to space, four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission. He will serve as the pilot for Axiom Space’s fourth commercial mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for launch on June 8, 2025, at 6:41 PM IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Important Key Points:
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Historic Milestone: Shukla’s journey marks India’s return to human spaceflight after more than 40 years, symbolizing a significant achievement in the nation’s space exploration endeavors.
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International Collaboration: The Ax-4 mission is a collaborative effort involving Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), highlighting India’s growing participation in global space missions.
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Scientific Endeavors: During the 14-day mission aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct approximately 60 scientific studies, including seven experiments developed by ISRO and five joint studies with NASA. These experiments focus on space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems, such as sprouting fenugreek and green gram in microgravity conditions.
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Crew Composition: Alongside Shukla, the Ax-4 crew includes veteran U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson as commander, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking the first ISS missions for both European nations.
