SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA: INDIA’S FIRST ASTRONAUT TO THE ISS

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH

Historic Achievement: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This milestone underscores India’s growing participation in human space exploration.

Key Highlights

1. Background

• An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune.
• Commissioned into the IAF in June 2006, currently serving as Group Captain since March 2024.
• Over 2,000 flight hours on aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29.
• Selected by ISRO for astronaut training in 2019 at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Russia.

2. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)

• A historic collaboration involving India, Poland, and Hungary.
• The first government-backed human spaceflight for these countries in over 40 years.
• Crew includes Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Sławosz Uznański (Poland), Tibor Kapu (Hungary), and veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (USA).

3. Mission Objectives

• Scheduled for Spring 2025 aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
• Duration: 14 days at the ISS.
• Tasks: Conducting scientific experiments and participating in outreach activities.

4. Training and Preparation

• Training conducted at top international agencies:
  • European Astronaut Centre (ESA), Germany: Communication systems, emergency procedures.
  • JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center, Japan: Operations of the Kibo module.

5. Scientific Research

• Space biology experiments designed by India’s Department of Biotechnology and ISRO.
• Focus: Effects of microgravity on biological processes, with implications for future space missions and medical advancements.

This mission marks a significant chapter in India’s journey toward establishing a sustained presence in human spaceflight.