Syllabus: GS3/Science & Technology; Space
Context
- Recently, an Indian Astronaut with three others from the USA, Hungry and Poland, soared into space aboard the Axiom-4 mission (NASA’s fourth all-private astronaut mission).
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
| International Space Station (ISS) – It serves as a permanently crewed orbital laboratory where astronauts from around the world live and work while orbiting Earth approximately every 90 minutes. – It is located about 400 km from the Earth and moving at 28,000 kmph. Key Facts About the ISS – Launched: The first module was launched in 1998; it has been continuously inhabited since 2000. – Partnership: Operated by an international coalition of space agencies—NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). – Purpose: ISS program unites international flight crews, various launch vehicles, worldwide operations and training facilities, communication networks, and the global scientific research community. |
How the Axiom-4 Mission Boosts India’s Future Space Programme?
- Critical Inputs for Gaganyaan: Axiom-4 involves scientific experiments, team coordination, and real-time problem-solving — skills essential for Gaganyaan, India’s first indigenous crewed mission.
- Scientific Collaboration and Innovation: The Ax-4 mission includes over 60 experiments from 31 countries, with India contributing to studies on muscle atrophy and stem cell behavior in microgravity.
- These align with ISRO’s growing interest in space medicine and long-duration missions, including diabetes management, muscle health, and cancer research
- It is vital for understanding human physiology in space and preparing for future lunar or Martian expeditions.
- Strengthening Global Partnerships: The mission underscores India’s deepening ties with international space agencies.
- Axiom-4 demonstrates India’s readiness to engage in commercial and scientific space diplomacy, coordinated with NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space.