Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Space Teechnology, Issue: Shubhanshu Shukla Returned from the ISS.
Context:
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew from Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) returned to Earth as their SpaceX Dragon capsule safely splashed down off the coast of San Diego, U.S., at 3:02 p.m. IST.
Key Takeaways:
Recovery Process After Space Journey:
Adjusting to Earth’s Gravity:
- The human body experiences significant changes while in microgravity, leading to various physical stressors that require adjustment upon returning to Earth.
- Recovery from these changes can take several days, during which astronauts may feel symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, and difficulty in balance.
About Axiom Mission 4:
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO.
Objectives:
- Enable commercial activities in low Earth orbit, including space tourism and private research.
- Demonstrate the feasibility of commercial space stations as platforms for business and science.
- Strengthen international collaboration in space exploration.
- Conduct scientific experiments in microgravity, focusing on materials science, biology, Earth observation, and life sciences.
Launch Vehicle & Capsule:
- First flight of Crew Dragon C213—the fifth and final new Dragon capsule—to be launched atop a Falcon‑9 Block 5 from LC‑39A, Kennedy Space Centre.
- Mission Timeline: Originally set for early June 2025, the mission was moved multiple times— then again postponed on June 11, due to the LOx leak, which caused further delay.
Crew (4 total):
- Peggy Whitson (USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski (Poland), Mission Specialist: Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
Significance:
- Marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
- First government-sponsored flights to the ISS for India, Poland, and Hungary in over four decades.
Preference for Splashdown Over Ground Landings:
Recovery plans and splashdown procedures are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of astronauts returning from space missions. These systems prioritize effective recovery from space-related physical and psychological stresses while maximizing safety during the landing process.
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