Indian Air Force Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla to Embark on Space Journey on June 25th as Part of Axiom-4 Mission. NASA Announces New Launch Date. The Mission Will Dock with the ISS on June 26th.
Axiom-4 Mission: NASA has announced a new launch date for the Axiom-4 mission. The mission will now launch on June 25th, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force participating as a mission pilot. This mission will see a four-member crew travel to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission symbolizes a return to space for countries like India, Hungary, and Poland.
NASA's New Announcement Regarding the Launch of the Axiom-4 Mission
NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX and Axiom Space, has announced a new launch date for Axiom Mission-4. The mission will now launch on June 25th at 12:01 PM IST. The launch will take place from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will carry the four astronauts into space via a Falcon 9 rocket. Docking with the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for 4:30 PM IST on June 26th.
Indian Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla to be a Key Part of the Mission
The Axiom-4 mission is particularly significant for India, as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been selected as a mission pilot. He will be joined by Hungarian astronaut Tibor Káposzta and Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiesławski. The mission will be commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Mission Delayed Multiple Times
The Axiom-4 mission was initially scheduled for launch on May 29th. However, it was postponed due to technical issues. A liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket and a leak in an older Russian module on the ISS led to a postponement until June 8th. Subsequently, the launch was further delayed on June 9th, 10th, and 11th.
After further delays, NASA set new launch dates of June 19th and then June 22nd. However, following repairs to the Russian module on the ISS, a reassessment of the entire station's functionality necessitated another postponement. The mission is now scheduled to launch on June 25th.
Launch and Docking Schedule
According to NASA, the Axiom-4 mission will launch at 2:31 AM EDT (12:01 PM IST) on June 25th. Following a journey of approximately 28 hours, the spacecraft will dock with the International Space Station at 7:00 AM EDT (4:30 PM IST) on June 26th.
What is the Axiom-4 Mission?
Axiom-4 is a private space mission jointly operated by NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space. The mission aims to conduct scientific experiments related to microgravity and biology.
The four astronauts will spend a total of 14 days in space. During this time, they will work in various laboratories aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Thus, this mission will not only contribute to research but also advance the private space capabilities of various nations.
