Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's historic space mission pushed to June 10
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
India's Shubhanshu Shukla is set for his maiden space flight as part of Axiom Space 's fourth commercial mission to the International Space Station , has now been pushed back for lift-off onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10.Besides Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European nation's first travel to the International Space Station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years.Veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson will be the commander of the Axiom-4 mission."I am really, really excited to go into microgravity and experience spaceflight on my own," Shukla, who goes by the nickname 'Shuks', said at a press conference in January.Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities.The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS.Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA.The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel.ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program.It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (Fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions.Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated in plants not just once but over generations.In January, Shukla said he also planned to capture his experiences on board the ISS through pictures and videos which can be shared with all the "'Bharatvaasis' back home.""I want them to share this thrilling experience through my eyes, for I truly believe that, even as an individual travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people," he said.Shukla said he planned to take certain items from different parts of the country with him to the ISS during the 14-day mission and even expressed hope to serve Indian food to astronauts in the orbital laboratory.He said the experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the Gaganyaan mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
In a first, HAL wins contract to build small satellite launch vehicles
Over the next two years, ISRO will transfer the SSLV technology to HAL, which will develop and launch two SSLV prototypes with complete help and handholding from ISRO.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
HAL 1st Indian firm to bag full rocket tech
BENGALURU: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has become the first Indian firm to fully acquire technology of a launch vehicle. HAL secured the transfer of technology (ToT) for 's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at a cost of Rs 511 crore. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced Friday that this first-of-its-kind complete ToT marked a significant milestone. Unlike the manufacturing contract of PSLV - shared between HAL and L&T - the SSLV has been fully offered to HAL. The company will own the rocket, build it, market it, and launch it independently. The selection process involved two stages. Out of nine applicants, six were shortlisted in the first round. A committee led by former principal scientific adviser to govt of India, Prof Vijaya Raghavan, and co-headed by former Isro director Suresh, then evaluated the techno-commercial bids of three firms. All were technically qualified but HAL emerged as the highest bidder at Rs 511 crore, IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said. While HAL submitted an independent bid, the other two finalists were consortia - one led by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design and the other by Bharat Dynamics Ltd from Hyderabad. "Payment will be done in phases. ToT will take two years. HAL will make at least two SSLV prototypes with complete help and hand-holding by Isro and after two years, they will be on their own. The initial ToT agreement will be for the first two years and then another contract will be signed between HAL and Isro," Goenka said. After the initial two years, HAL will function independently and can even modify the rocket design or choose new partners. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A formal contract involving NewSpace India Ltd (Nsil), HAL, Isro and IN-SPACe will be signed soon. Nsil will manage the commercial aspects while IN-SPACe, in collaboration with Isro centres, will oversee the technology transfer. Barenya Senapati, HAL's director of finance, said the win aligned with HAL's broader goal of significantly expanding its space portfolio. He assured the new programme would not affect HAL's other operations. Regarding liability for rocket launches, Goenka noted that, under international norms, the state bore primary responsibility. "It is up to govt to decide how much of the liability will remain with the state and how much will be transferred to HAL. The company will comply with applicable laws once the contract is finalised," he said.
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
HAL wins ₹511-crore deal to build, own and commercialise SSLV launches
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has bagged a Transfer of Technology (ToT) deal, valued at ₹511 crore, from the Indian Space Research Organisation, to build and operate Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). The SSLV is a three-stage vehicle to launch satellites that weigh less than 500 kg into the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Friday announced the HAL as the winning bidder among three shortlisted bidders. The deal will enable commercialisation of SSLV launches. Other contenders Apart from the HAL, which had applied independently, two other technically qualified bidders were shortlisted: Alpha Design Technologies Ltd., Bengaluru, leading a consortium with Agnikul Cosmos and Walchand Industries Ltd.; and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Hyderabad, leading a consortium with Skyroot Aerospace, Keltron and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). Among the three, HAL emerged as the highest bidder. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, announced the winner. 'The HAL will be giving ₹511 crore. It is a phased payment that will be done with some amount at the time of signing the contract and the remaining coming over a period of two years. The ToT phase will take two years and during these two years, the HAL will make at least two SSLV rockets with complete help and handholding from the ISRO and after two years, they will be on their own. So during the two years, they will draw all the technology and take it from there,' Dr. Goenka said. Rigorous evaluation IN-SPACe said the bidding process involved a rigorous eligibility and evaluation framework. 'A thorough evaluation process was followed, with various technology and financial readiness levels under review. The process, which continued for several months, culminated in the financial bid evaluation, where the HAL emerged as the highest bidder to acquire and operationalise SSLV technology,' the IN-SPACe said. The ToT Agreement will be signed among HAL, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO, and IN-SPACe. The agreement encompasses extensive training and handholding of HAL personnel by ISRO teams, both at ISRO and HAL facilities, for the realisation and launch of two SSLVs in the next two years. 'The launch vehicle system, being multidisciplinary in nature, would require the winning entity, HAL, to undergo rigorous handholding and training under ISRO at both ISRO's and the entity's facilities. This is aimed at realising the projected launch of two SSLVs from an Indian launch port,' Rajeev Jyoti, Director, Technical Directorate, IN-SPACe, said. Barenya Senapati, Director (Finance), HAL said that the PSU intends to build six to 12 SSLVs per year during the production phase and that it may ramp up based on demand and requirement. Space launch liability To a question on who will take the liability of a privately manufactured SSLV, Dr. Goenka said the state (Government of India) has the responsibility. 'It is an international rule and not something India or the HAL or IN-SPACe can decide. Now, it is up to the Indian government to decide how much of that liability they keep on themselves and how much they pass on to the owner and launcher of the vehicle. As per the contract we will have, the HAL will follow whatever is the law of the land.' 'We will come out with a decision on how the launch liability will be shared between the owner of the rocket and the Government of India,' he added.
