NASA approves Axiom-4 mission, India’s Shubhanshu Shukla to pilot journey to ISS

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NASA has officially approved the Axiom-4 mission, set to be piloted by India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. The 14-day mission to the International Space Station will see Shukla joined by three other astronauts.

The mission will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and current director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space.

Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will serve as the mission’s pilot. They will be joined by European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program, expressed excitement about the growing interest in private astronaut missions. “As NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment,” she said.

The crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and spend up to 14 days aboard the space station. Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, will make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. He is also a part of India’s Gaganyaan Mission.

Whitson, reflecting on the mission, said, “Working with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been a deeply rewarding experience. Each crew member brings unique strengths and perspectives, making our mission not just a scientific endeavor, but a testament to human ingenuity and teamwork.”

The Axiom-4 mission builds on the success of previous private astronaut missions. The first, Axiom Mission 1, launched in April 2022 for a 17-day stay on the ISS. The second, Axiom Mission 2, launched in May 2023, with Whitson again serving as commander.

The Ax-4 mission represents a significant collaboration between India and the United States, announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the U.S. last year. In preparation, Shukla and his backup, Group Captain Prashanth Nair, have completed rigorous training with NASA, ESA, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

(Photo courtesy: www.axiomspace.com)

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