Latest news with #AxiomMission-4
Time of India
20 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.
Mint
2 days ago
- Science
- Mint
Space mission Axiom 4: The universe can be a family one day
Group captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Air Force has become the second Indian astronaut to visit space after wing commander Rakesh Sharma's journey aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft back in 1984. After being postponed multiple times on account of technical glitches, Axiom Mission-4 set pulses racing in a nation of over 1.4 billion when the Crew Dragon Grace lifted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in the US on 25 June. This spacecraft was sent up by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the reusable bulk of which returned swiftly to its pre-launch clasps on the ground after delivering the necessary thrust. Designed to travel on, the crew capsule docked on Thursday at the International Space Station (ISS), which has been in low-earth orbit with seven astronauts aboard. They've been joined by Axiom-4's team of four led there by American astronaut Peggy Whitson, described by Nasa as a 'frequent flyer." Apart from Shukla, the mission's pilot, its other members are scientists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland on behalf of the European Space Agency and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Scientific, engineering and technological research will be the bedrock of Axiom-4. This mission is chock-a-block with projects. It has brought aboard the ISS as many as 60 studies from 31 countries. Common to all are the conditions of microgravity—or near weightlessness—under which experiments will be conducted. This could prepare the ground for replication in deep space someday. Seven of these projects are from India, selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). They include tests with three strains of edible micro-algae, which will be compared with algae grown on earth; the sprouting of salad and food crop seeds, which is broadly about space farming; and gauging the effects of metabolic supplements on muscle strength, which may help us work out how to address the atrophy that astronauts suffer on long missions. Another experiment involves studying cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) to see if they can grow in microgravity with urea and nitrate from human waste as fertilizer. The idea is to explore if this could be a source of nutrition in space. It can potentially yield a 'superfood'—think of Spirulina, which is valued for the protein and vitamins it packs in—that lays a path to human survival away from the home planet for prolonged stretches. Crop seeds grown in orbit will be brought back and grown under a lens for several generations. Yet another project will study the physical and cognitive effect of computer use, aiming to develop screens suitable for long-duration space missions. Isro has also sent up Tardigrades, known as 'water bears.' These are microscopic aquatic invertebrates that can survive extreme conditions—from volcanoes to radiation. How well these 'extremophiles' handle microgravity will be of interest. India's participation in Axiom-4 offers hope for our collective future. Health, food security and our ability to withstand extremes of weather triggered by climate change—all these are vital fields of study. What we learn from those tests will advance human knowledge for the benefit of all, even as this quest fosters a scientific temper. The need to explore the habitability of space should also concentrate minds on the future of the planet we inhabit. In Gaganyaan, Isro has its own crewed space mission lined up for 2027. But for Axiom-4, we have global collaboration to thank. As universal truths go, it's self-evident that the world must learn to collaborate on earth too.
India.com
4 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Shubhanshu Shukla's Journey A Testament To India's Growing Space Prowess: Union Ministers On Axiom-4 Mission
Hailing the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, several Union Ministers on Wednesday termed the moment historic. Notably, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. Shukla is representing ISRO and the Indian Air Force. He is serving as the mission's pilot. He is the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's landmark journey in 1984. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari termed the moment a proud leap for India as Shukla heads to the ISS on Axiom Mission-4. 'As the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, his journey is a testament to India's growing prowess in space exploration, empowered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary reforms. Wishing him success on this historic mission. Jai Hind,' the minister posted on X. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh termed Axiom Mission-4's successful launch a proud moment for India and highlighted ISRO's growing global collaborations. 'Congratulations Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, you are the first Indian astronaut set to embark on a mission to the International Space Station. Indeed, a proud moment for India! ISRO's growing global collaborations, after the reforms introduced by the government headed by PM Narendra Modi, have placed India as a frontline nation in space exploration,' Singh said in a post on X. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia termed Shubhanshu Shukla's journey historic as he becomes the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station on a commercial space mission. 'Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarks on a historic journey by becoming the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station on a commercial space mission. Group Captain Shukla, as you rise beyond Earth, 140 crore hearts rise with you. Wishing the crew a safe and successful voyage,' said Scindia. In his message on the way to the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla said, "Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second.' 'The Tiranga (Tricolour) embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride... Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat,' the Lucknow-born astronaut emphasised. Axiom Space Mission 4 is a joint mission led by NASA, Axiom Space, SpaceX, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA).
News18
4 days ago
- Science
- News18
Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Launch Was Saved Just A Minute Before Liftoff. Here's How
Last Updated: The spacecraft was having trouble accepting the wind condition data upload which is useful in emergency situations It was a moment etched in history—the countdown echoed across the launchpad, cameras rolled, and families held their breath. But what most did not know was just how close the historic Axiom Mission-4 came to being called off, only hours before Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, was set to lift off into space. The culprit? A delay in updating the Falcon 9 rocket's flight computer with the latest wind data during the final countdown. The issue surfaced within the last launch window, but after swiftly correcting the data upload, the team resolved the problem, allowing the launch to proceed without aborting. Explained in simpler terms, it means the spacecraft was having trouble accepting the wind condition data upload. This information is crucial for emergency situations, as it helps the spacecraft identify safe offshore splashdown zones if an abort is necessary after launch. Engineers worked quickly to resolve the issue and successfully upload the data before arming the Launch Escape System. For a mission that had already weathered multiple delays—from May 29 to June 8, then June 10—this final snag triggered tense moments. For Shubhanshu Shukla, the stakes were personal—and national. As the first Indian-origin astronaut to reach the International Space Station, and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, this mission was a symbol of a nation's growing space ambition. At noon (IST), Falcon 9 roared to life and pierced the Florida sky, carrying Shukla, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland's Sławosz Uznański, and Hungarian-American Tibor Kapu toward the International Space Station. First Published: June 25, 2025, 13:38 IST
India Today
4 days ago
- Science
- India Today
He's got that drive: Backup Axiom pilot Prashanth Nair on Shubhanshu Shukla
Indian Air Force pilot and Axiom Mission-4 backup astronaut Prashanth Nair hailed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's determination and razor-sharp focus as he is set to enter the history books by becoming only the second Indian to go to Nair and Shukla have been selected for India's first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. During a media interaction before the launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, Nair reflected on their journey Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live"We are both fighter pilots. We met a few years ago when we were selected for the Gaganyaan program," said Nair. "I am nine years older than him, but over the last 10 months, it's been incredibly satisfying to be his wingman," he further said. Describing Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot from Lucknow, as "fantastic", Nair praised his zeal in becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS)."He has got that drive and that focus in him on what he wants in life. Once he decides, like, for example, to be the first Indian to go to the ISS, he focusses on it, puts his entire resources and his mind into it, and removes all other obstacles," Nair said.'COMING TO ONE BIG PICNIC'On their rigorous 10-month training, Nair called the experience "like one big picnic".advertisement"Overall experience was like coming to a big picnic. When you can actually make it really cool and at the same time professional, that has been our experience. It's been marvellous, training with Axiom, Nasa and astronauts of other countries," he further the mission is being commanded by veteran Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson of the US, Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungary's Tibor Kapu are the mission backup Axiom-4 pilot also emphasised the importance of understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses as a team during such space that space missions aren't about individual brilliance, Nair said, "When you train as a team, you come to know not just each other's strengths, but their limitations as well. When going to space, it is important to know your teammates' weak points so that you are there to support them."- EndsTune InMust Watch
