Latest news with #VNarayanan
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Science
- India Gazette
Axiom-4 Mission: ISRO celebrates historic docking of Dragon Spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut to ISS
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX as the Dragon Spacecraft carrying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom Mission 4 spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26 at 16:15 hrs IST, marking a significant achievement in global space exploration. ISRO mentioned that a team led by the Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, V Narayanan, witnessed the historic moment in the Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston. In the X post, ISRO posted, 'Axiom Mission 4 successfully docked with the @SpaceStation on 26 June 2025 at 16:15 hrs IST. Team ISRO, led by the Secretary, Department of Space and the Chairman, ISRO, witnessed the historical moment from the Mission Control Room at @NASA_Johnson, welcome ceremony of the Axiom 4 Crew was completed on ISS. Mission pilot Shubhanshu Shukla is the 634th Astronaut to be in Space. Heartiest congratulations to @Axiom_Space, @NASA, @SpaceX, and all international partners on this achievement!' Commenting on the mission, former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai described Ax-4 as a 'predominantly commercial venture' that paves the way for future space exploration. 'This is predominantly a commercial venture. It opens up ways for using space as a vantage point for future exploration. It will prove useful after the International Space Station completes its lifespan. The success of this mission will enable India's future ambitions of having a space station. The International Space Station can not be named so with India not being a part of it,' he said. Axiom 4 mission aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station on Thursday. The Dragon spacecraft was ahead of schedule, autonomously docking at 4:05 pm (IST) to the space-facing port of the space station's Harmony Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers monitored Dragon's automated approach and docking manoeuvres. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA (European Space Agency) astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary lifted off at Noon IST on June 25, on the SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. (ANI)
NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
NASA Says Launch Of Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom Space Mission Likely Tomorrrow
New Delhi: After repeated delays, NASA has now announced that Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla could fly to space tomorrow. This is the shortest turnaround time from announcing a new date and the targeted launch that NASA announced. This is the sixth new date that NASA has announced. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting 12.01 PM (India Time), Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 4.30 pm (India Time) Thursday, June 26. There have been multiple delays since the first launch date was announced as May 29, 2025. Initially the postponements were linked to inclement weather issues which is normal for Florida weather, subsequently SpaceX announced they had detected technical glitches on the first stage of the Falcon-9 rocket which included issues with a thruster and leak of the oxidizer. It turned out that there was a leak of Liquid Oxygen and initially SpaceX wanted to do a 'band aid' type fix and launch within 24 hours, at that point the Indian team led by Dr V Narayanan, Chairman, of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) wanted a full repair and validation. On ISRO's 'insistence' SpaceX did make the repairs to the satisfaction of 13 member Indian team stationed at the Kennedy Space Center. But the woes did not end, after that there were technical glitches on Shubhanshu Shukla's destination which is the International Space Station. There was 'pressure signature' said NASA, meaning the station was also leaking on the Russian module. This it seems has now also been resolved as well. There are seven astronauts at the ISS and this crew of four were to join them and NASA did not want these so called 'guests' to be involved in repairs of the ISS and they would pose additional pressure on the ISS. Subsequently it seems all the leaks on the rocket and the space station have now been fixed and now the astronauts are ready to fly, weather permitting on June 25, 2025. Axiom-4 Mission The Axiom-4 mission, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space in partnership with NASA, is a commercial venture where India has purchased a seat for an Indian astronaut for Rs 550 crores. Incidentally this is one of the most expensive 'Uber type ride sharing' seat ever purchased by India on a hi-tech space bus named Dragon made by SpaceX. Incidentally Shubhanshu Shukla will travel on a spanking new Dragon capsule which the four crew will get to name. The Axiom-4 mission, sometimes called Mission Akash Ganga, will carry a four-member international crew aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft flying on a Falcon-9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes Dr Peggy Whitson from the United States as mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists. Group Captain Shukla is the designated pilot for this mission. Dr Whitson is a 64-year-old biochemist and former NASA astronaut, and is the most experienced American astronaut with 675 days in space. Her extensive experience includes 10 spacewalks totalling over 60 hours, and she serves as Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Her leadership is expected to provide invaluable mentorship to Shubhanshu Shukla during the mission. On the fortnight-long mission, the crew will conduct 60 scientific experiments, of which seven are proposed by Indian researchers. Group Captain Shukla will also participate in a space-to-Earth outreach program and interact with a VIP from space. Seven crew members are already at the ISS. If Group Captain Shukla does travel to space, he will become India's second astronaut or Gaganyatri after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to space as part of an Indo-Soviet friendship mission to the Russian space station in 1984. Group Captain Shukla is currently in quarantine and is healthy to travel on this maiden mission to the International Space Station as an Indian.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Not June 19, now Ax-4 launch may happen on June 22 or 23
Crew members of Axiom-4 mission BENGALURU: The launch of Axiom-4 mission , which has been delayed multiple times owing to a reasons ranging from glitches in the spacecraft, leak and snag in the rocket, weather and leaks at the International Space Station , is now being targeted for June 22 or 23. Nasa , Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, the Houston-based firm, which is implementing its fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), said. 'Launch is targeted for 3.42 am Eastern Time on June 22, with a backup opportunity available on June 23 at 3.20am,' SpaceX said.. Isro said that its team, along with those from Poland and Hungary engaged in a detailed discussion with Axiom Space regarding the probable launch timeline. Following this, Axiom Space held consultations with Nasa and SpaceX to assess multiple readiness parameters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Most Expensive Cars In The World '...Based on the readiness status of the SpaceX Falcon-9 launch vehicle, the Dragon spacecraft, repairs in the ISS' Zvezda module, ascent corridor weather conditions, and the health and preparedness of the crew in quarantine, Axiom has informed that the next probable launch date is June 22,' it added. The revised schedule gives Nasa additional time to assess the ISS operational readiness, following recent repair work in the aft segment of its Russian-built Zvezda service module. The launch, originally targeted for May 29, was deferred to June 8 following the detection of an issue in the electrical harness of the Crew Dragon module, Isro had said earlier. It was then postponed by a day to June 9, which was not publicly announced, and then rescheduled to June 10. The June 10 launch was rescheduled once again. During preparations for a hot fire test on June 8, SpaceX engineers detected a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak in Falcon-9. An anomaly was also found in one of the engine actuators, which was subsequently replaced along with its controller. Expecting a quick resolution of the LOX leak, the mission was initially rescheduled for June 11. Isro said it had stressed on crew safety in review meetings. Mission partners then decided to postpone the launch further to conduct a test to validate the corrections carried out. On whether the multiple delays have affected the payloads India is planning to send on the mission, Isro chairman V Narayanan, who is leading the Isro delegation in Florida, told TOI: 'We have to review before deciding whether there needs to be some action on that. As of now, there is nothing to report.' When TOI had, during its visit to Florida, asked another member of the Isro team about a potential problem with the payload, the member had said on June 12: 'Payload-loading happens the last. They are secure until then. At this juncture, we have nothing to worry about. We will review the situation again later.' However, storage of payloads, especially biological payloads , may require attention if stored for prolonged periods of time. Narayanan said: 'I will get back after a review.' Commanded by former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson , the mission will see Isro's astronaut group captain Shubhanshu Shukla take the role of pilot. The other two crew members, both mission specialists, are Polish ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Hungary's Tibor Kapu.
News18
18-06-2025
- Science
- News18
Tension Builds As Axiom Mission-4 Targets Launch: Why June 19 Is A Must-Meet
Last Updated: India has invested Rs 550 crore in the mission led by US-based Axiom Space, which is now aiming for one of the last viable launch windows before a major delay derails the efforts With all four astronauts in extended quarantine for nearly three weeks, the clock is ticking for Axiom Space to launch its much-awaited fourth mission before a major delay derails the effort. After recent setbacks, the crucial spaceflight is now targeting a Thursday launch but the pressure is mounting as space agencies complete last-minute troubleshooting to avoid a costly postponement. While NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have announced that they are reviewing launch opportunities no earlier than Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which has invested Rs 550 crore in the private collaboration, has made it clear that 'safety and mission integrity remains its top priorities". The high-stakes mission is India's first collaborative human spaceflight since 1984, and nothing is being left to chance. Riding on it are hopes and dreams of billions, as Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station. But the mission launch has been affected by weather, and then the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 booster that caused the last-minute postponement of the mission on June 11. While SpaceX has already resolved the observations on Falcon-9 Liquid Oxygen Leak, as confirmed by ISRO, another significant issue with the ISS Zvezda module is being addressed by NASA with Roscosmos. This is critical because it can impact the docking and other key ISS operations. The issue came to light during inspections by cosmonauts aboard ISS, who then sealed the leak in the pressurised module, but the two agencies are in the process of completing the last-minute troubleshooting. ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan remains stationed in Florida with his team to oversee mission readiness. The launch window is narrowing with every passing day. ISS, which has been orbiting the Earth for almost 25 years, has a tightly managed schedule coordinated by NASA. Any more delay could jeopardise the subsequent missions, some carrying cargo or other essential supplies and station maintenance—a timeline for which is locked in months in advance after considering complex logistical and operational factors. The rocket launch also must be precisely timed to align with ISS's orbital pass, so it can also enter the same plane and trajectory in order to successfully dock with it. But a more important consideration is that ISS has limited docking ports which need to be available, especially for a private spaceflight lasting 14 days. The launch is also subject to the weather conditions off the Florida coast, around the launch site, as well as the ascent path of the rocket. But what makes the situation more daunting is that the four-member crew who has trained extensively for the past year have now been in extended quarantine for almost three weeks, which may affect their overall fitness and readiness. Compounding the urgency are also the 60 carefully chosen science experiments for the 14-day mission, including the seven shortlisted by ISRO—all of which have a limited viability window. While scientists are reviewing their current status, further delays could compromise their success rates. On the ground are additional challenges—technical, logistics, financial—which continue to put added strain on all space agencies involved. While the weather over the Florida coast remains favourable for the launch on Thursday, a formal go-ahead from meteorologists is awaited as they continue to monitor conditions both at the launch site and along the rocket's ascent path. The mission is critical for India, Hungary and Poland which are looking to make history by sending their first-ever astronaut to the International Space Station. Shukla, who has been training for the mission for the last one year, is already in quarantine. The crucial mission was postponed last week after a liquid oxygen leak was detected just hours before the scheduled launch. The leakage was detected during a routine seven-second hot test to validate the performance of Falcon-9's booster—a standard part of pre-launch checks. It was traced to the propulsion bay. After ISRO's discussions with Axiom and Space X, the decision was made to stand down from the mission, rectify the issue and re-validate it before clearing for the next launch attempt. Now, after weeks of delays, and amid growing logistical strains, the spotlight is now squarely on Axiom Space and its launch partner SpaceX to deliver. So, when the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket stands poised at the launch pad on June 19, the pressure to execute will be palpable. 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! Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 18, 2025, 08:18 IST News world Tension Builds As Axiom Mission-4 Targets Launch: Why June 19 Is A Must-Meet
News18
15-06-2025
- Science
- News18
'Safety, Mission Integrity Top Priorities': How ISRO Helped Flag Rocket 'Leak' In Axiom-4 Mission
Last Updated: While this further delayed India's return to spaceflight, it ensured that a potential disaster was prevented as ISRO insisted on thorough repairs After ISRO demanded due diligence, a major disaster was averted with the timely detection of a fault in the Falcon-9 rocket, which is the Russian module of the ISS. While this has further delayed India's return to spaceflight as part of the Axiom-4 private mission, it ensured that a potential disaster was prevented as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) insisted on thorough repairs. The fault was detected after a demand for due diligence by chairman Dr V Narayanan, reported NDTV. 'NASA and Axiom Space are postponing the launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station," a NASA statement said on June 12. Falcon-9 will carry India's Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other astronauts, and is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 commercial mission. But this has now been put on indefinite delay as the space agencies involved address issues that have cropped up ahead of the launch. 'Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities," Narayanan said in a post on X. Narayanan said ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX, as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the delay. The astronauts were originally scheduled for lift-off on May 29, which was put off to June 8, June 10 and June 11. The 14-day mission will 'realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary. 'Setbacks and delays are a normal part of spaceflight. Our Ax-4 crew remains upbeat and looking forward to a safe and successful flight to the Space Station," Whitson said in a post on X. HOW DID ISRO HELP? According to the NDTV report, the fault has been fixed even as ISRO confirmed the new launch date for the mission to be June 19. Experts were quoted in the report that the rocket could have suffered a major failure during liftoff since liquid oxygen can cause a fire. So, the space agencies set about fixing a 'crack in an oxidiser liner".
