(Image source from: Twitter.com/SpaceX)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Crew Dragon capsule and a crew of four astronauts, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, symbolizing the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians to send a second 'Gaganyatri' into space after a lengthy hiatus of more than 40 years. Prior to the launch, some concern arose when a last-minute complication emerged regarding the transmission of wind data to the spacecraft. Fortunately, this problem was swiftly addressed, as reported by a local journalist in Orlando. Following the resolution of the weather data issue, the countdown continued, resulting in a launch at 12:01 PM. The crew is slated to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26 around 4:30 PM IST. This Falcon 9 mission originated from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, specifically Launch Complex 39A, which is historically significant as the launch site for Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969. This mission will see Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla become India’s second astronaut, four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984. The 39-year-old fighter pilot has been selected by ISRO as the lead astronaut for this groundbreaking expedition.
Group Captain Shukla has undergone a precautionary quarantine period lasting over a month leading up to the launch, a measure taken to ensure the crew's health prior to flight. Joining him on this mission are mission commander Dr. Peggy Whitson, along with mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu. During the two-week Axiom-4 mission, this group will conduct 60 scientific experiments, including seven initiated by Indian researchers. Group Captain Shukla is anticipated to engage in an outreach program, connecting with individuals on Earth from space. The mission launch experienced multiple postponements since May 29, due to diverse factors like weather conditions and technical issues such as oxidizer leaks. June 25 marks the sixth target date announced by NASA. The Falcon 9 rocket involved in this launch is a medium-lift, two-stage rocket developed by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk. Notably, it is partly reusable; its first stage is designed for safe landing and subsequent flights, effectively lowering costs and minimizing the wait time for future missions. This rocket has successfully completed 16 crewed missions and boasts a flawless safety record.
The Axiom 4 mission represents a commercial partnership between Axiom Space located in Houston and NASA. India has invested Rs 550 crore for a seat aboard the spacecraft that transports a total of four crew members to the ISS. This initiative, also known as Mission Akash Ganga, originated from a joint statement made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States in June 2023. The agreement outlined a cooperative mission between ISRO and NASA to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS, highlighting a new chapter in the collaboration between India and the United States in the field of space exploration.
