Why in New?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are planning two outreach events under Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
About Axiom 4 Mission
- Location of Launch: NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida
- Shubhanshu Shukla from the Indian Air Force is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to journey to the International Space Station aboard the Axiom 4 Mission.
- Date of Launch: 8th June 2025
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) organized by Axiom Space, a US-based company specializing in space infrastructure.
- The mission uses SpaceX’s reusable Crew Dragon spacecraft, designed to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
- This marks the fourth mission in partnership with NASA, following Axiom Missions 1, 2, and 3.
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About Shubhanshu Shukla
- Group Captain Shukla, born in 1985, is an experienced Indian Air Force pilot with over 2,000 flight hours.
- Selected by ISRO in 2019, he trained in Russia for India’s first human space mission, Gaganyaan.
- In 2024, PM Modi announced him as the pilot for the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station in 2025.
About ISRO
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the Department of Space, was established on August 15, 1969, to develop and apply space technology for national needs.
- India’s space efforts began with INCOSPAR in 1962, led by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, and included launching its first sounding rocket from Thumba in 1963.
- ISRO has since built major space systems for communication, broadcasting, and meteorological services, becoming a globally recognized, cost-effective space agency.
About NASA
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), established in 1958 as a civilian agency during the Cold War, was created in response to the Soviet Union’s Sputnik launches to lead U.S. space exploration and aerospace research.
- The agency’s main goals are to advance human knowledge of space, develop space vehicles for equipment and astronauts, and collaborate globally for scientific progress.
- Over six decades, NASA has successfully completed many missions, driven space technology innovation and continuing to explore key scientific questions.
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