Latest news with #AstroAnnimal
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
‘Looks chaotic, but it works': How astronauts take group photos in space? ISS crew including Shubhanshu Shukla shows you
NEW DELHI: A light-hearted video from the International Space Station (ISS) featuring Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has gone viral on social media, showing the Ax-4 crew attempting to take group photos in microgravity. The video was shared by Colonel Anne McClain, who captured the crew's playful struggle to pose mid-air. 'How do we take group photos in space? We cannot ask a passerby for help, so we set up a camera to take a photo every 5 seconds, get in position, then stop to smile at the camera. Looks a little chaotic, but it works!' McClain wrote on X. — AstroAnnimal (@AstroAnnimal) The cheerful moment surfaced just hours before Shukla and his fellow Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew members undocked from the ISS on Monday, wrapping up a nearly 20-day scientific mission in orbit. Launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center on June 25, the Ax-4 mission covered over 310 orbits and travelled 1.3 crore km — approximately 33 times the distance between Earth and Moon. The crew docked with the ISS on June 26 and conducted more than 60 experiments from 31 countries, including seven led by India's ISRO. On Monday, at around 2.50 pm IST, the crew closed the hatch of their Dragon capsule, named Grace. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo By 4.45 pm, the spacecraft successfully undocked from the ISS. The capsule is now on a 22.5-hour return journey to Earth, carrying over 580 kg of cargo, including the scientific payload. Before the undocking, Shukla and mission commander Peggy Whitson were fully suited by 2.11 pm, while specialists Tibor Kapu and Slawosz Uznanski followed by 2.47 pm. NASA and SpaceX teams completed all safety checks, including leak tests and depressurisation, before issuing the undocking command. Grace performed its initial departure burns at 4.46 pm and 4.51 pm and is scheduled to carry out two more burns over the next 90 minutes to distance itself from the ISS and stabilise its orbit. The de-orbit burn is planned for 2.07 pm IST on Tuesday (July 15), with splashdown targeted for 3 pm off the coast of California. Axiom said ground teams are closely monitoring weather conditions — including wind speeds under 10 mph and the absence of rain or lightning — to ensure a safe recovery. Roughly 50 minutes after the de-orbit burn, the capsule will deploy drogue parachutes followed by the main ones for a controlled descent. Upon splashdown, recovery teams will board the capsule, conduct safety and medical checks, and airlift the astronauts for further health evaluations and debriefs. With this mission, Shukla joins the growing list of Indian-origin astronauts contributing to global space research — and now, to space humour as well.
India Today
04-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla completes over 100 orbits of Earth, gets much-needed day off
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's lone astronaut aboard the International Space Station, has completed over 100 orbits of the planet since Indian astronaut, who is on his maiden voyage to space, got a much-needed week off on completion of a week in space since launch. He has been working on seven Indian experiments and participating in other joint studies with Nasa and his Axiom-4 an update, Axiom Space said that the crew enjoyed a well-earned off-duty day, giving them a chance to recharge and connect with family and friends back on week, our onboard space family grew from 7 to 11, uniting 11 unique journeys, 6 partner nations, and a shared mission to advance science and human exploration of the cosmos.@AstroAnnimal and @Astro_Ayers worked together to monitor Dragon Grace on its maiden voyage to the Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) July 1, 2025 The astronauts have completed approximately 113 orbits around Earth, covering over 4.67 million kilometers. To put that into perspective, that's nearly 12 times the distance between Earth and the just one week, the Ax-4 astronauts have already made impressive progress in their science missions. Mission Commander Peggy Whitson is working on cancer research, using microgravity to study how tumour cells behave in space — research that could help identify new treatment options for metastatic said that Shux is carrying out experiments on how space conditions affect the growth and genetics of algae, and how tiny, tough creatures called tardigrades survive and reproduce in space. These studies could offer important insights into how cells stay strong and adapt, with possible benefits for medicine on Earth. Mission specialist Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski is testing a new wearable device that monitors sound levels on the space station. This technology aims to protect astronauts' hearing and improve spacecraft the same time, Tibor Kapu is tracking radiation levels using a special Hungarian-made device and is also leading an experiment to grow microgreens in space — a key step toward producing fresh food for long-term missions."With more than a hundred sunrises and sunsets witnessed from orbit, the Ax-4 mission is advancing science progress in space and inspiring a new generation of explorers. After a day of rest, the crew will be ready to resume their packed research and outreach agendas," Axiom said.- EndsTune InMust Watch
News18
07-06-2025
- Science
- News18
NASA Astronaut Captures Breathtaking Northern Lights, Internet In Awe
Last Updated: The auroras were caused by a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck Earth head-on in the early hours of 1 June. Nature is beautiful, and natural phenomena can be astonishing. One of the most breathtaking phenomena is the 'northern lights". Also known as the aurora borealis, they light up the night sky in the northern parts of the world. These glowing, colourful waves of light are typically seen in high-latitude regions near the Arctic, including parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Canada, and Alaska. A video shared by a NASA astronaut aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft captures the stunning phenomenon. NASA astronaut Anne McClain took to X and shared the video with the caption, 'Auroras from space always draw crew members to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It's interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over the horizon. I have added travelling to see auroras from Earth to my bucket list!" According to the auroras were caused by a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck Earth head-on in the early hours of 1 June. The rare solar eruption sparked a severe geomagnetic storm and stunning auroras. Auroras from space always draw crewmembers to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It's interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over… — COL Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) June 2, 2025 'Truly mesmerizing. Thanks for sharing this breathtaking view," one netizen said. A second commented, 'Magnificent. Such beauty. Mother Earth is the ultimate artist. Thank you for posting this gorgeous phenomenon." 'The beauty of auroras from space is truly captivating. It's fascinating to see how they interact with the atmosphere and even our spacecraft. Thank you for sharing this incredible view," wrote another. First Published: June 07, 2025, 23:00 IST
NDTV
07-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Watch: NASA Astronaut Captures Mesmerising Northern Lights From Space
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. NASA astronaut Anne McClain shared a video of the aurora borealis from the SpaceX Dragon. The auroras displayed vibrant green, purple, and red colors following a geomagnetic storm. The phenomenon resulted from a coronal mass ejection from the Sun impacting Earth's magnetic field. One of the most breathtaking sights in the night sky is the aurora borealis, commonly known as the "northern lights." Many people wait years, or even a lifetime, for the chance to witness this unforgettable phenomenon. That's likely why videos and photos capturing the glowing green lights continue to fascinate viewers. Now, a NASA astronaut aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has shared a stunning video of the aurora as seen from space, following a powerful geomagnetic storm. NASA astronaut Anne McClain took to X to share the green, purple and red hues of the northern lights dancing across the surface of the Earth. Furthermore, the Earth's curvature can also be seen where the auroras in the atmosphere meet the darkness of space. "Auroras from space always draw crewmembers to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It's interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over the horizon. I have added traveling to see auroras from Earth to my bucket list!" Ms McClain wrote in the caption of he post. Take a look below: Auroras from space always draw crewmembers to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It's interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over… — COL Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) June 2, 2025 According to the celestial fireworks display followed a solar flare that erupted from the Sun on Friday. This sparked a coronal mass ejection (CME) - a burst of solar material - that slammed into Earth's magnetic field early the next day, causing stunning auroras as far south as California and New Mexico. According to the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast, aurora is likely to be more active in the coming nights because of "minor" geomagnetic storms. Meanwhile, Ms McClain's video on X has gone viral, garnering more than 360,000 views and hundreds of likes. "The beauty of auroras from space is truly captivating. It's fascinating to see how they interact with the atmosphere and even our spacecraft. Thank you for sharing this incredible view," commented one user. "Magnificent. Such beauty. Mother Earth is the Ultimate Artist. Thank you for posting this gorgeous phenomenon," expressed another. "Truly mesmerizing Thanks for sharing this breathtaking view," wrote a third user. "Your videos should be compiled and released as a big-screen, full-length movie sometime. That would be a great experience for people," said another. "Stunning aurora, Anne! It glows on the Dragon, dances with satellites, and creeps along the atmosphere. Great bucket list pick!" one user commented.
