Axiom-4 Mission Carrying Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Launches Today

The Axiom-4 mission is set to launch today, June 25, at 2:31 AM EDT, carrying astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and an international crew to the ISS. This mission aims to conduct 60 scientific studies from 31 countries, representing a historic return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary after decades. SpaceX has confirmed all systems are go for today’s launch.

The Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to launch today, June 25, at 2:31 AM EDT, which is approximately 12:00 noon IST. The launch follows several delays for various reasons. This highly anticipated mission intends to transport around 60 scientific studies from 31 nations, including India, the US, Poland, and Hungary, to the International Space Station (ISS).

This mission is critical on several fronts. It marks the return of human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, all with their first government-sponsored flight in over 40 years. Axiom has stated that this flight signifies a historic moment, as all three nations will embark on a joint mission aboard the ISS. In total, there will be scientific activities from diverse countries including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, and various European nations.

Axiom-4 will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at Launch Complex 39A, with the astronauts traveling in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. A recent tweet from SpaceX indicates optimism for the launch, mentioning that all systems are functioning properly, and that there is a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for liftoff.

“All systems are looking good for Wednesday’s launch of @Axiom_Space’s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station and weather is 90% favorable for liftoff,” the company stated.

As for the crew, Shubhanshu Shukla from the Indian Space Research Organisation will serve as the pilot for this mission. Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will act as mission commander. Additionally, the team includes Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, both serving as mission specialists.

In summary, the Axiom-4 mission is poised to launch today, featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and a diverse international crew. This mission not only represents a significant scientific endeavor but also a pivotal moment in the return of human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary. If successful, the mission will contribute to an array of research projects while marking a new chapter in collaborative space exploration.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com