Latest news with #ISS
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Science
- Time of India
Iran To BUY China's J-10C Fighter Jets Instead Of Russian Su-35
'Tiranga on Shoulder, India With Me': Shubhanshu Shukla Sends Emotional Message Home from Space Historic moment for India in space! Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Dragon spacecraft. Speaking to the world after docking, Shukla called the journey 'a wonderful ride,' and shared how his expectations were surpassed by the view of Earth — and the warm welcome by the ISS a heartfelt message in Hindi, Shukla told Indians, 'My head feels heavy, but the tricolour on my shoulder reminds me that all of India is with me.' He expressed excitement about leading science experiments and outreach activities over the next 14 days.'This is the first step in India's own space journey,' he said, as he floated in zero gravity wearing the Indian flag patch proudly. 3.2K views | 1 day ago
News18
an hour ago
- Science
- News18
International Space Station: Why Is Every Astronaut Given A Number?
Last Updated: As Shubhanshu Shukla reached the ISS, he was assigned a unique number. But why are astronauts given these numbers? Here's what they mean and how they're used India's Shubhanshu Shukla spent his first night aboard the International Space Station (ISS), alongside astronauts from three other nations. Upon his arrival, he was assigned a unique crew number. But what exactly is the purpose of this number, and why is it issued to every newcomer? This identifier isn't just a formality; it plays a vital role in everything from logging medical data to coordinating spacewalks, especially when names and faces are hard to distinguish in bulky suits. Did Kalpana Chawla And Sunita Williams Have Crew Numbers? Yes, both Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams were assigned crew numbers prior to Shubhanshu Shukla. Each astronaut on the ISS is given a specific crew ID and position number. However, during day-to-day interactions, they are addressed by name. These identifiers are used in certain operational contexts. To date, around 640 individuals have been to space, with roughly 30 to 35 making the journey more than once. People from over 45 countries have participated in space missions. Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to travel to space aboard the Soyuz T-11 in 1984. Kalpana Chawla, who later became a US citizen, was the first Indian woman in space. Why Are Crew Numbers Used? These numbers primarily serve security and system-logging purposes. The ISS contains various systems that log medical updates and activity records. For example, during health checks, emergency simulations, or scientific experiments, astronauts must enter their crew ID to access equipment or input data. During extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks, each astronaut's suit displays a number such as EVA-1 or EVA-2. Since facial recognition is difficult while suited up, Mission Control and crewmates use these numbers for identification. These are especially useful when multiple astronauts have similar names or accents. However, on board the ISS, astronauts typically call one another by name, fostering a relaxed, collegial atmosphere. However, during formal communication with ground control, whether with NASA or Roscosmos, crew call signs or numbers are occasionally used, especially during high-stakes operations like spacewalks. When Was Crew Numbers Introduced? In the early space missions of the 1960s, astronauts were simply addressed by name or mission call sign. But by the 1970s, with longer, more complex missions to space stations, it became clear that a more systematic method of identification was needed. Numbering helped avoid confusion when recognising faces inside helmets or communicating clearly via radio across multilingual crews. NASA introduced the EVA-1, EVA-2 format during the Space Shuttle era in the 1980s. With up to eight astronauts per mission, these identifiers were critical. Once the ISS became operational in 1998, the practice became standardised for all spacewalks and vital crew activities. Did Rakesh Sharma Receive A Crew number? Rakesh Sharma was not given a crew number as per today's system. His 1984 mission was designated Soyuz T-11, with the crew using the call sign 'Jupiter'. At that time, Soviet missions referred to astronauts by name or collective mission identifiers. Kalpana Chawla flew aboard STS-87 in 1997 but did not perform any spacewalks, so she was designated Mission Specialist-1 (MS-1) rather than an EVA number. Sunita Williams, on the other hand, participated in four spacewalks during her STS-116 mission and was assigned identifiers like EVA-1 and EVA-2 for those activities. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla "Not Feeling Well" In ISS: Effect Of Spaceflight On Body
New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot turned astronaut, reminisced on the launch in his first call from space. He has described the experience as "indescribable." Astronaut Shukla and his team will perform scientific tasks for the next 14 days in the International Space Station (ISS). Mr Shukla also said, "I was not feeling well, and I was very sleepy when we were launched into the vacuum. Learning how to walk and eat in space like a child." The #Ax4 crew—commander Peggy Whitson, @ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, @ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu—emerges from the Dragon spacecraft and gets their first look at their home in low Earth orbit. — NASA (@NASA) June 26, 2025 Effect of Spaceflight and Zero Gravity on Human Body NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) has been researching the effects of space travel on the human body for over 50 years. Knowing how spaceflight affects people is important when astronauts travel from the low-Earth orbit of the International Space Station to deep space locations on and around the Moon and beyond. A Mars expedition will expose astronauts to three distinct gravitational conditions. Crews living and working on Mars will experience gravity that is about one-third that of Earth. Crews will be weightless for the six-month journey between the planets. Changing from one gravity field to another is more difficult than it seems. Space motion sickness affects several crew members, making it difficult for them to move, balance, coordinate their hand-eye and head-eye movements, and maintain spatial orientation. After returning home, personnel will eventually need to adjust to Earth's gravity. According to NASA, weight-bearing bones lose between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent of their mineral density each month while in space, yet the human body is not affected by Earth's gravity. Rehabilitation may not fully restore bone loss after returning to Earth, but their risk of fracture is reduced. In addition, the fluids in the body move upward towards the head under microgravity, which could strain the eyes and impair eyesight. Crews may have a higher risk of kidney stones if prophylactic or countermeasures are not taken because of dehydration and increased calcium excretion from their bones. Spinal ultrasounds are used to track back pain, which some astronauts reported experiencing while in space. Bone density and muscle size are assessed for deterioration both before and following spaceflight using MRI and high-resolution imaging techniques. Periodically, crew members assess their fitness levels to assist researchers in better understanding how spaceflight can cause a deterioration in heart function. Moreover, astronauts lose muscle mass in microgravity more quickly than they would on Earth if they fail to adhere to a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts are on the Axiom Mission 4, which was launched from Florida. The space mission is scheduled to run for 14 days.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
From Orbiter Columbia to Discovery: Here are the top 5 biggest space shuttles
The Space Shuttle, as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) describes, represented an 'entirely new generation of space vehicle,' the world's first reusable spacecraft, which were 'launched like a rocket, maneuvered in Earth's orbit like a spacecraft and landed like an airplane.' There are about three Space Shuttle orbiters currently in operation – Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, which are all designed to fly at least 100 missions, NASA stated on its website. As India takes a step ahead in its space program, with Shubhanshu Shukla heading to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Axiom-4 mission this week, we take a look at the top five biggest space shuttles operated from all corners of the world: Orbiter Enterprise An early Space Shuttle Orbiter, the Enterprise, never flew in space but was 'used for approach and landing tests at the Dryden Flight Research Center and several launch pad studies in the late 1970s,' according to the website. Orbiter Columbia America's first reusable Space Shuttle, Columbia was launched for the first time with NASA astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen aboard on April 12, 1981. The space shuttle continued the heritage of intrepid exploration, becoming one of groundbreaking scientific research and notable 'firsts' in space flight, as per NASA. Commander John Young even called the flight 'something just short of a miracle.' It was delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in March 1979. One of its crowning moments remain the deployment of the gleaming Chandra X-ray Observatory in July 1999, which specialized in viewing deep space objects and finding the answers to astronomy's most fundamental questions. However, it had some limitations. The heaviest of NASA's orbiters, Columbia weighed too much and lacked the necessary equipment to assist with the assembly of the ISS. Moreover, Columbia and its crew were tragically lost during STS-107 in 2003 after a small portion of foam broke away from the external fuel tank and hit the orbiter's left wing, NASA noted. The consequential damage created a hole in the wing's leading edge, causing the vehicle to break apart during re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. Orbiter Challenger Next in line is the Orbiter Challenger, which was built to serve as a test vehicle for the Space Shuttle program. Being the second orbiter to join NASA's Space Shuttle fleet, OV-099 arrived at NASA's KSC in Florida in July 1982, bearing the name 'Challenger.' Launched on her maiden voyage on April 4, 1983, Challenger saw the deployment of the first satellite in the Tracking and Data Relay System constellation, besides other scientific experiments and satellite deployments. Challenger's service to America's space program ended in tragedy on January 28, 1986 when just 73 seconds into the mission STS 51-L, a booster failure caused an explosion that resulted in the loss of seven astronauts, as well as the vehicle, the official website of NASA noted. Orbiter Discovery Discovery (OV-103) was NASA's third space shuttle orbiter to join the fleet, arriving for the first time at the KSC in Florida in November 1983. Since its inaugural flight in 1984, Discovery has completed more than 30 successful missions, surpassing the number of flights made by any other orbiter in NASA's fleet. It has carried 'satellites aloft, ferried modules and crew to the International Space Station, and provided the setting for countless scientific experiments,' as the NASA states. This Orbiter clearly benefited from the lessons learned during the construction and testing of Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger, such that at rollout, its weight was about 6,870 pounds less than Columbia. Orbiter Atlantis Another Orbiter which learnt its lessons from Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger was the Atlantis (OV-104), whose construction was completed in about half the time in man-hours spent on Columbia. Nearly 3.5 tons lighter than Columbia, the orbiter arrived at NASA's KSC on April 9, 1985, NASA mentioned. Atlantis served as the on-orbit launch site for various noteworthy spacecraft, including planetary probes Magellan and Galileo, as well as pioneered the Shuttle-Mir missions, flying the first seven missions to dock with the Russian space station, NASA highlighted. It has also delivered several vital components to the ISS in the recent years. Orbiter Endeavour Authorized as a replacement for the Space Shuttle orbiter Challenger, Endeavour (OV-105) arrived at the KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility on May 7, 1991. One of the space shuttle's primary assignments was to capture INTELSAT VI, an orbiting, but non-functioning, communications satellite, and replace its rocket motor. After numerous attempts, the satellite was finally captured for repair. 'An unprecedented three-person spacewalk took place after the procedure was evaluated by the astronauts and ground team,' NASA states. The crew onboard also conducted medical tests assessing the human body's performance in microgravity. It was the first time when four spacewalks were conducted on a Space Shuttle mission, with one of them being the longest in space history, lasting more than eight hours. NASA underlines, 'OV-105 became the first Space Shuttle orbiter to use a drag chute during a landing — only one of many technical improvements made to Endeavour.'
Time of India
4 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.
