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SpaceX’s ‘Dragon’ To Carry Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Into Space On June 10

SpaceX has rolled out its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft in preparation for the launch. The mission is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, carrying Shubhanshu Shukla and three others to the ISS.

SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch Dragon aircraft for the Axiom-4 mission with India’s Shubhasnshu Shukla and three others onboard it. (Source: SpaceX)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to fly into space as part of the Axiom Space, Ax-4, mission, marking a significant moment for India’s space programme. It is likely to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 11 at about 10 pm IST, after a journey that is likely to be 28 hours long.
The Ax-4 mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years, stated the official page of the mission. It said that while Ax-4 marks these countries’ second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

“This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally,” it added.

SpaceX Rolls Out Falcon 9 for Historic Mission

SpaceX has rolled out its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft in preparation for the launch. The mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10. The SpaceX Falcon 9 is ready to launch the Dragon spacecraft.

The Dragon spacecraft, which will transport four astronauts, has arrived at the hangar at pad 39A in Florida. The mission aims to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 11 at approximately 10:00 PM IST. This event marks India’s return to space after 41 years, following Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.

Axiom 4 Mission Crew Details

Shubhanshu Shukla , serving as the mission pilot, will be accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut. Also on board are specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. The crew is set to conduct scientific research, outreach programmes, and commercial activities during their stay of up to 14 days on the ISS. The Axiom 4 mission is a collaboration between NASA and ISRO.

Collaboration Between NASA and ISRO

This mission highlights the collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO ). The SpaceX Axiom 4 mission delivers on a commitment to send an ISRO astronaut to the ISS. Both agencies are jointly participating in five science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. The agencies share a vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.
The launch was initially scheduled for June 8 but was postponed to June 10 to account for weather conditions during vehicle transportation and final processing. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom 4 mission aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, launched by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

India’s Return to Space

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ‘s space voyage is particularly significant as it aids India’s space travel programme and the Gaganyaan mission.
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