Axiom-4 Mission Explained: Shubhanshu Shukla's Historic Space Journey and Its Significance for India

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission — a landmark event in India’s space history. Here's a complete breakdown of the mission, its purpose, and what it means for India’s future in space exploration.

What is the Axiom-4 Mission?

• Axiom-4 is the fourth private spaceflight mission organized by Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX.

• The mission was launched using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 24 at 12:01 PM (IST).

• The spacecraft used was the Dragon capsule, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

• The Dragon capsule is expected to dock at the ISS after a 28-29 hour journey, reaching the station by 4:30 PM IST on June 25.

Crew of Axiom-4

The mission includes four astronauts from four countries:

• Shubhanshu Shukla – India (ISRO)

• Peggy Whitson – USA (former NASA astronaut and commander)

• Slavoj Ujnanski-Wisniewski – Poland (ESA)

• Tibor Kapu – Hungary

Duration of the Mission

• The astronauts will stay aboard the International Space Station for 14 days.

• During this period, they will conduct scientific research, experiments, and technology demonstrations.

Why is Shubhanshu Shukla's Mission Special for India?

First Indian to Reach the ISS: Marks a historic first for India in human spaceflight.

Revival After 41 Years: The last Indian to go to space was Rakesh Sharma in 1984. This mission revives India’s human space ambitions.

Support for Gaganyaan: The experience and data gathered will support India’s Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027, where India plans to launch astronauts using its own spacecraft.

Pioneering Role in Commercial Spaceflight: Positions India as an active participant in future commercial space station collaborations.

Goals of the Axiom-4 Mission Scientific and Research Objectives:

• Perform experiments in microgravity.

• Test the survival of microscopic organisms like tardigrades (also known as “water bears”).

• Evaluate the behavior of biological systems in extreme conditions.

Technological Objectives:

• Validate systems and processes for long-duration human spaceflight.

• Aid in the development of India’s future space technologies.

Strategic and Educational Objectives:

• Lay groundwork for India’s future commercial space stations.

• Inspire youth and spread space awareness.

• Strengthen international collaboration in space research.

Interesting Fact: What Did Shubhanshu Take to Space?

• Shubhanshu carried tardigrades—microscopic creatures known for their extreme resilience.

• These creatures can survive boiling temperatures, freezing cold, high radiation, and even the vacuum of space.

• Studying tardigrades in space helps scientists understand survival mechanisms in hostile environments and has potential applications in space medicine and genetics.