Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Space Technology, Issue: The successful docking of the Axiom.
Context:
The successful docking of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic moment for India as IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to enter the ISS.
- The mission, which includes scientific experiments and station upkeep, is also a crucial step in preparing Shukla for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission.
Key Takeaways:
What is the Axiom Mission 4?
- Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station.
- The flight was launched in June 2025 and is expected to last about 14 days.
- During this time, the crew will remain aboard the International Space Station, carrying out various scientific and operational tasks.
| Axiom previous Space’s missions: Axiom Mission 1: The world’s first commercially crewed private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). Launched in April 2022 for a 17-day stay. Axiom Mission 2: Ax-2 was launched in May 2023, spent 8 days in orbit. Axiom Mission 3: Ax-3 in January 2024, remaining docked for 18 days. |
- It will be operated by Axiom Space and use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
- It will use a Falcon 9 rocket to place the Crew Dragon spacecraft into Low-Earth orbit (LEO).
- Launched from: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the US.
- Crew: The Indian astronaut will be joined by three other astronauts. (Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Mission Specialist; Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Pilot; Peggy Whitson (U.S.), Commander; and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), Mission Specialist.
| About the International Space Station (ISS): It is a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit (at an altitude of between 370–460 km). Key partners for ISS: European countries (represented by European Space Agency), United States (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), Japan (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Canada (Canadian Space Agency) and Russia (Roscosmos) Its first component was launched into orbit in 1998. It will continue to be a working laboratory and outpost in orbit until at least 2030. |
Significance of the Mission for India:
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