India has made history by sending its first astronaut into space in over 40 years with the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the face of this remarkable journey, has become only the second Indian to travel to space following Rakesh Sharma’s groundbreaking flight in 1984.
The Axiom-4 mission, led by former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson, will have Shukla dock at the International Space Station (ISS) within 26 hours of the launch. This mission is a collaborative effort between Nasa, India's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the European Space Agency (ESA), featuring a diverse crew from various countries, including Poland and Hungary.
The Indian community is buzzing with excitement, as Shukla’s journey promises to enrich India's own space initiatives. He comes from a robust background as a fighter pilot with over 2,000 flying hours. “As I go into space, I carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” Shukla remarked before blasting off.
During his two-week stay at the ISS, he’ll be involved in conducting around 60 scientific experiments, including studies on agriculture and the effects of microgravity on various life forms. ISRO has stated that interactive sessions with students and discussions with India's Prime Minister are also in the works.
This mission is not just a launch; it symbolizes India's bold aspiration in space exploration, with plans for a self-sustaining space station by 2035 and lunar missions by 2040 on the horizon. All eyes are on Shukla as he embarks on this promising adventure, fostering a brighter future in space exploration for India.
The Axiom-4 mission, led by former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson, will have Shukla dock at the International Space Station (ISS) within 26 hours of the launch. This mission is a collaborative effort between Nasa, India's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the European Space Agency (ESA), featuring a diverse crew from various countries, including Poland and Hungary.
The Indian community is buzzing with excitement, as Shukla’s journey promises to enrich India's own space initiatives. He comes from a robust background as a fighter pilot with over 2,000 flying hours. “As I go into space, I carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” Shukla remarked before blasting off.
During his two-week stay at the ISS, he’ll be involved in conducting around 60 scientific experiments, including studies on agriculture and the effects of microgravity on various life forms. ISRO has stated that interactive sessions with students and discussions with India's Prime Minister are also in the works.
This mission is not just a launch; it symbolizes India's bold aspiration in space exploration, with plans for a self-sustaining space station by 2035 and lunar missions by 2040 on the horizon. All eyes are on Shukla as he embarks on this promising adventure, fostering a brighter future in space exploration for India.
