Latest news with #Ax-4
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
5 powerful lessons students can learn from Shubhanshu Shukla's remarkable journey
5 powerful lessons students can learn from Subhanshu Shukla's remarkable journey What drives someone to dream of space—not metaphorically, but literally? Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot turned astronaut, recently created history by becoming the first Indian to live aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 14 days as part of NASA 's Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4). His journey from a school in Lucknow to orbiting Earth is not just the stuff of headlines—it's a powerful real-life masterclass for students in ambition, resilience, and purpose. Here's a deep dive into his remarkable path and the five transformative lessons every student can take from it. 1. Believe in your dream, even if no one else does Shubhanshu was born in Lucknow and studied at City Montessori School, known for its academic rigor. While others celebrated birthdays and festivals, he was already setting his sights sky-high. Inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, he secretly began preparing for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam—even skipping his own sister's wedding to focus on it. Student takeaway: Your dream doesn't need instant validation. Not everyone will understand your ambition. What matters is how fiercely you believe in it—and how consistently you work toward it. 2. A strong academic base opens extraordinary doors After clearing the UPSC NDA entrance, Shukla graduated with a BSc in Computer Science. But he didn't stop there. He went on to earn an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru—one of India's top research institutions. IISc has ranked among the top in India and the world for its research output. This academic strength made him an ideal candidate for both the ISRO Gaganyaan programme and international astronaut training. Student takeaway: Don't chase just the 'easiest' course—chase the one that challenges you to grow. A strong education, paired with passion, becomes your launchpad—sometimes quite literally. 3. Discipline and adaptability go hand in hand Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, Shukla flew over 2,000 hours on some of the most advanced fighter jets, including Su-30 MKIs. But he didn't just fly aircraft—he continued learning and evolving. Between 2020 and 2021, he underwent astronaut training at Russia's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, followed by further sessions in India and the U.S. His journey from pilot to astronaut proves one thing: Discipline builds consistency, but adaptability ensures progress. Student takeaway: Your ability to be disciplined and flexible—to follow through while also evolving—is what will keep you ahead in life's most challenging moments. 4. Don't fear uncharted paths, create them Shukla was handpicked in 2019 to join the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, and by 2025, became the prime astronaut-pilot on the Axiom Space-NASA-ISRO collaboration. This made him India's first astronaut in 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma's historic mission in 1984. He didn't just accept the unknown—he pioneered it. Student takeaway: There won't always be a 'safe route' laid out. Sometimes, you'll have to make the bold choice that feels uncertain. But often, that's the path that leads to greatness. 5. Use your platform to inspire and uplift others During his 14-day mission aboard the ISS, Shukla isn't just conducting five groundbreaking experiments with NASA in space biology and agriculture—he's also scheduled to interact live with students across India, answering their questions and encouraging young minds to pursue STEM careers. This is leadership at its most inspiring—not just achieving for yourself, but lifting others as you rise. Student takeaway: No matter how far you go, remember to give back. Success becomes legacy when it empowers others to succeed too. S hubhanshu Shukla's journey proves that nothing—be it geography, expectation, or gravity—can hold back someone with a clear goal, relentless discipline, and a learning mindset. As a student, you may not be planning a spacewalk anytime soon. But you can adopt his mindset. In the story of Shubhanshu Shukla, we don't just see an astronaut. We see what happens when a student decides to never stop learning—even beyond the stars. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
NDTV
6 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
How Shubhanshu Shukla Sees Earth From Space As He Adjusts To Zero Gravity
New Delhi: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is getting the incredible views of Mother Earth as he orbits the planet - seeing 16 sunsets and 16 sunrises. Mr Shukla and his Axiom-4 space mission colleagues are learning more about the safety at the International Space Station and shifting cargo, and essentially setting up their new but temporary home in space. One of the astronauts, Peggy Whitson, posted a picture of Earth on X, saying she has "missed the view". I've missed this view! #Ax4 — Peggy Whitson (@AstroPeggy) June 27, 2025 Mr Shukla is feeling well and continues his activities at the space station. For Group Captain Shukla, day two at ISS will begin with setting up experiments. His first day was spent setting up his new home by shifting cargo from the Grace capsule to the space station. Mr Shukla is still learning and integrating with the Space-11 at the ISS. According to Axiom Space, the Axiom crew continued adjusting to life in microgravity, and the crew focused on integration with the resident Expedition 73 crew. Together, they completed training on handover protocols and emergency procedures, ensuring seamless coordination. The crew transferred high-priority cargo and emergency equipment between Dragon and the space station. This included payloads, essential supplies, and safety gear, all carefully logged and stowed for operations. Dziękuję za Wasze wsparcie. Czuję je cały czas 🇵🇱 Praca nad naszymi eksperymentami w mikrograwitacji rozpoczęta! Thank you for your support. I feel it every step of the way 🇵🇱 The work on our experiments in microgravity has begun! #IGNIS #Ax4 #astro_slawosz 📷 @AstroPeggy … — Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (@astro_slawosz) June 27, 2025 The Ax-4 astronauts also began preparing for their research studies. They initiated setup for several experiments and began transferring samples to designated modules. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the crew will continue finalising the setup for research and technology demonstrations. According to NASA, on Friday, Ax-4 quickly got to work unloading sample-packed hardware and portable science freezers from inside Dragon for installation in station incubators and research refrigerators ahead of upcoming experiments. Station safety hardware was also temporarily transferred inside Dragon, as is customary for visiting spacecraft. The private astronaut quartet later joined the Expedition 73 crew for more safety reviews to learn their roles and responsibilities and communication protocols with mission controllers in the unlikely event of an emergency on the orbital outpost, the space agency said. Meanwhile, Expedition 73 kept up its daily research schedule with a space exercise study, eye exams, and lunar photography. Cargo transfers and life support maintenance rounded out the crew's day. There are eleven astronauts at the space station, hence the Space-11 are right now gelling up to become one weightless family.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — June 28, 2025
Setting foot in space What an historic leap for India in space after decades (Front page, June 27). The cost of the Gaganyaan mission and the budget spent on Shubhanshu Shukla's seat on Ax-4 are not relevant if one considers the success rate of the Indian Space Research Organisation's missions. It must be viewed as an investment in advancing India's scientific progress. J.P. Reddy, Nalgonda, Telangana More importantly, the research work during the space odyssey is sure to rekindle scientific curiosity among schoolchildren. G. Ramasubramanyam, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh Tharoor versus Congress It is unfortunate that the Congress party appears to be intolerant of individual opinions within its ranks. There is a contrast between Shashi Tharoor's balanced perspective and the Congress critical stance toward the government at the Centre, which seems to be its primary agenda. Manicklal Chakraborty, Chennai Law and order I am sure that I am not making a mountain out of a molehill, but there is concern about the law and order problem in Tamil Nadu. The series of incidents that have been reported from across the State show Tamil Nadu in a bad light. The points that are being raised by the Opposition parties cannot be dismissed. The political dispensation needs to act. Mani Nataraajan, Chennai
New Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Axiom-4 takes India's space dreams higher
This January 16, Isro's Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) saw two unmanned spacecraft attaching with each other in space, making India only the fourth country to achieve such a feat after the US, Russia and China. SpaDex itself was part of Isro's fourth Orbital Experiment Module, which carried 24 payloads from the government's department of space and non-government entities such as academic institutions and startups. Payloads from startups were received through the National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, the nodal agency promoting space-related activities in the country. That mission allowed the scientific community to carry out various in-orbit microgravity experiments that will help the missions planned for the future. On his 14-day Ax-4 mission, Shux will carry out seven experiments aboard the space station to study the impact of microgravity and space flight on the germination and growth of two strains of seeds, on the genetic activity of microalgae, on skeletal muscles, on computer screens' cognitive effects, and on tardigrades, the highly resilient micro animals. The momentum and range of India's space experiments—involving the government, private startups and the academia—have never looked more intense. That holds a lot of promise for a country planning to send its first human space flight under the Gaganyaan mission by 2027, set up the Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035, and send astronauts to the Moon by 2040. So far, India's space odyssey is on course.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
4 Astronauts Dock at International Space Station After Historic Texas-Based Launch
A team of private astronauts from around the globe successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) early Thursday morning. The arrival of the four astronauts capped a landmark launch by Houston-based Axiom Space in partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX. 'Docking confirmed!' SpaceX posted in an accompanying video on the early morning hours on Thursday. The Axiom Mission 4 crew launched on a brand-new SpaceX Dragon capsule, dubbed 'Grace,' from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. After a 28-hour spaceflight, the ship docked at the ISS Thursday morning, connecting to one of the station's primary ports. Led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Ax-4 crew includes Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Slawosz Uznanski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary — each the first astronaut from their respective countries to reach the ISS. 'Our Ax-4 crewmates made it safely aboard the @Space_Station today! It was a pleasure and an honor to monitor their approach and work the hatch opening. I also got a couple good photos as they caught up and approached from below the station! Welcome Peggy, Shux, Suave, and Tibor!,' wrote Astronaut Nichole 'Vapor' Ayers. Leaders from each country have celebrated the milestone, made possible through the backing of Musk's SpaceX and Axiom's framework. Whitson, now director of human spaceflight at Axiom, holds the U.S. record for most cumulative days in space — currently 675 — and is expected to approach 700 by the end of the mission. The recent flight is just another landmark in Texas' growing dominance in the commercial space race, especially as Musk chose to move SpaceX headquarters to the Lone Star State last year, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. From Axiom's Houston headquarters to SpaceX's launch site in Boca Chica, Texas is becoming a central hub for the expanding 'off-Earth' economy. Thursday's docking marks Axiom's fourth private crewed mission to the ISS since 2022 and its most ambitious yet: the Ax-4 team is scheduled to complete more than 60 science experiments during their 14-day stay — more than any previous Axiom crew. The mission also represents a major step forward in international space research and cooperation. ShShukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force, spoke emotionally during the welcome ceremony, expressing excitement to work with researchers from around the world. Though the astronauts hail from across the globe, the mission itself was designed, built, and launched from American — specifically Texan — soil. Axiom Space's long-term goal is to build the first private space station in Earth orbit — a key part of NASA's transition plan as the ISS nears retirement in 2030. The company envisions the station as a hub for microgravity research, manufacturing, and international astronaut training.
