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Axiom Mission Launch with Second Indian Astronaut

Published 6 days ago2 minute read
Axiom Mission Launch with Second Indian Astronaut

The Axiom-4 mission, also known as Ax-4, is set to launch today, carrying a team of four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marks a significant milestone, particularly for India, as Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian to undertake a spaceflight in 40 years, following Rakesh Sharma's feat in 1984. The launch, originally scheduled for June 10 but delayed multiple times due to technical issues, has been confirmed by both NASA and SpaceX to take off on Wednesday at 12:01 PM IST.

The Axiom-4 mission represents a collaborative effort between Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA, and it is the fourth private astronaut mission destined for the ISS. The launch will occur from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon capsule. The four-member crew is led by Peggy Whitson, Axiom's Director of Human Spaceflight and a former NASA astronaut. The other crewmates include India's Shubhanshu Shukla, who serves as the pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Notably, Shukla, Uznański, and Kapu are pioneers, being the first individuals from their respective nations to embark on a mission to the ISS.

Following the launch, the docking with the International Space Station is anticipated to take place on Thursday, June 26, at 4:30 PM IST. The astronauts are scheduled to spend approximately two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory. During their tenure, they will engage in a comprehensive program of scientific research, conducting 60 distinct experiments. These investigations will span various fields, including human physiology, Earth observation, biology, and materials science, contributing valuable data to ongoing space research. The webcast for this historic launch commenced at 12:30 AM ET, with high confidence in favorable weather conditions (90% favorable) for liftoff.

For those interested in witnessing this momentous event, live streams of both the launch and the subsequent docking process are available. Viewers can tune in via NASA and Axiom's official YouTube channels, or follow updates and live coverage on SpaceX's X (formerly Twitter) account, ensuring global access to this significant space endeavor.

From Zeal News Studio(Terms and Conditions)

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