Axiom-4 Mission is part of ISRO's astronaut training program ahead of Gaganyaan mission: Indian scientist Tapan Mishra
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 10 (ANI): Ahead of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launch to the International Space Station (ISS) from the US on Tuesday as part of the human space flight mission with the private company Axiom Space, scientist Tapan Mishra said that it is part of ISRO's ongoing astronaut training program ahead of the country's Gaganyaan mission.
Misra, Former Director of Space Applications Centre and Physical Research Laboratory in ISRO, said, 'The Indian government has planned to launch the Gaganyaan mission with our own astronaut from India by next year. As part of that initiative, four astronauts have been selected. Among them, one primary astronaut and one backup astronaut have been sent to participate in the Axiom-4 Mission--a commercial mission to the ISS, operated by private space company Axiom Space, which charges around $65 million per astronaut.'
He further said that they would stay at the International Space Station for another two to three weeks. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will carry out experiments on muscle fatigue, muscle atrophy, and neurological degeneration in free space and also on the growth of certain crops and plants in free space.
'As a backup to Shubhanshu Shukla, another astronaut, Prasanth Nair, is also ready. India will be going through its maiden human space launch next year. Prior to that the pilot, captain, will have a first-hand exposure to a real-life launch scenario (Human space flight) and he will have experience of all the instrumentation required in the spacecraft and all the precautions to be taken and one can consider it as a training session and if any lacuna is there in our mission, we can have enough time to correct them and ensure that we'll have a safe Indian astronaut mission through Gaganyaan,' he further said.
Scientist Misra said that it is a proud moment for India as it is after 41 years after Rakesh Sharma went to space another Indian astronaut is headed there.
'This is part of ISRO's ongoing astronaut training program. These astronauts were initially trained extensively in Russia, and now they are also being exposed to training and operational environments in the US, giving them experience with different types of launch systems. This dual exposure will help us identify and incorporate necessary precautions and best practices into our own Gaganyaan mission. With nearly a year to go before the launch, this opportunity serves as a valuable learning experience for ISRO to ensure a successful and safe human spaceflight mission.'
The Axiom-4 mission launch was postponed to June 11, due to unfavourable weather conditions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), will now lift off at 5:30 PM IST on June 11.
ISRO wrote on X, 'Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS / Chairman, Space Commission.'
Shukla will be led by the mission commander, Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and an Axiom employee, and joined by the European Space Agency astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, of Poland, and Tibor Kapu, of Hungary.
It will be the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket.
As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station.
The space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.
ISRO is planning to launch its own human spaceflight mission, called Gaganyaan, in 2027. The Gaganyaan Programme envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the short term and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
IIT Delhi launches new-age courses in design, semiconductors and more: Who can apply, how much do they cost?
IIT Delhi has introduced a string of off-beat courses in a strategic shift aimed at aligning with emerging global skill demands—just as the institute jumped from 150th to 123rd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The new offerings include a BTech in Design, a BS in Chemistry, a certificate programme in Semiconductor Technology and Manufacturing, and both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at its newly operational Abu Dhabi campus. While IIT Delhi positions these courses as part of a long-term academic vision to future-proof Indian talent, the move also reflects mounting pressure on top Indian institutes to break out of rigid STEM silos. As India eyes semiconductor self-reliance and global research collaborations, these curriculum additions could help plug critical gaps. Here is a look at the new courses, their eligibility and more. Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Design This 4-year undergraduate degree is offered by the newly established Department of Design. It blends engineering with creativity, providing training in industrial design, communication systems, and interaction design. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Eligibility : Admission is based on the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED), not through the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced). Candidates must have passed Class 12 with 75% aggregate marks from a recognised board. Course fee : Approximately INR 1,22,400 per semester, as per IIT Delhi's standard BTech fee structure. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry Offered by the Department of Chemistry, this 4-year undergraduate programme emphasises both foundational and advanced areas in chemical sciences, targeting careers in research, pharmaceuticals, and allied sectors. Eligibility : Requires qualification through Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) 2025 and a minimum of 75% marks in Class 12. Course fee : Approximately INR 1,22,400 per semester, as per IIT Delhi's standard undergraduate fee structure. Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Programmes at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus IIT Delhi's international campus in Abu Dhabi has launched three new BTech programmes for 2025: Computer Science and Engineering, Energy Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. These 4-year undergraduate degrees target global and regional challenges in technology and sustainability. Eligibility : Admission is through JEE Advanced 2025 (one-third of seats) or the Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) 2025 (two-thirds of seats) for UAE nationals, international students, and Indian expatriates with five years of UAE education. Candidates must have 75% in at least two of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and 80% aggregate in Class 12. Course fee : As per IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi's fee structure, to be confirmed on the official website. Certificate in Supply Chain Management and Analytics This 2-month course provides practical and strategic insights into modern logistics, procurement, and supply chain systems. Eligibility : Suitable for graduates (10+2+3 pattern) and mid-level professionals from any discipline. Course fee : Approximately INR 50,000 + 18% GST. Certificate in Semiconductor Technology and Manufacturing Aligned with India's semiconductor development mission, this 6-month programme focuses on fabrication techniques, microelectronics, and Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) design. Eligibility : Open to engineers, science graduates, and early-career professionals in electronics and related fields. Course fee : INR 1,50,000 + 18% GST. Postgraduate Programmes at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi Campus IIT Delhi has launched new postgraduate courses at its international campus in Abu Dhabi. These include MTech and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes, with an academic focus on sustainable technology, data science, and energy systems. Duration : MTech – 2 years; PhD – variable duration. Eligibility : Requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree with a minimum of 60% marks and qualification through Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) or an equivalent examination. Course fee : As per IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi's fee structure, to be confirmed on the official website. PhD Admission (Special Drive for SC/ST Candidates) This special admission drive for PhD programmes, offered across various departments, targets SC/ST candidates to promote inclusive research opportunities. Duration : Variable duration. Eligibility : Requires a Master's or Bachelor's degree with 60% marks (relaxed for SC/ST candidates) and valid scores in GATE, CEED, JEST, CSIR JRF, UGC NET, or an equivalent examination, followed by an interview. Course fee : As per IIT Delhi's fee structure, typically including tuition waivers for SC/ST candidates. Interdisciplinary and flexible curriculum reforms for 2025–26 To further modernise its academic structure, IIT Delhi has introduced a variety of interdisciplinary courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These courses come with a modular and flexible curriculum, allowing students to combine traditional subjects with emerging disciplines. Key interdisciplinary themes include: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning Healthcare Technology Integration of Humanities and Social Sciences Skill-based minors tailored to student interests These reforms aim to give students more control over their academic trajectories and help them develop cross-functional expertise. Students can check the latest prospectus issued by IIT Delhi for 2025-26 here . Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Sparking Dreams: India Plans 100 Space Labs For Students From Tribal Communities
Last Updated: The initiative led by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs aims to inspire the next-generation of space explorers studying in 477 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across 26 states & UTs In a push to inspire the next generation of space explorers, the government will set up 100 space laboratories in Eklavya Model Residential Schools across India. First established in 1997-98 to provide quality education to tribal communities in remote areas, these fully-residential schools will now aim to spark children's ambition to reach for the stars. The initiative will be fully-funded by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donors, and is set to benefit as many as 477 schools. The states expected to see the highest rollout include Chhattisgarh (75), Madhya Pradesh (63), Jharkhand (53), Odisha (47), Gujarat (38), and Maharashtra (37), and Rajasthan (30). The laboratories will be equipped with a star-tracker telescope, demonstrative models of ISRO's launch vehicles, including LVM Mk3, PSLV, as well as static models of earth observation satellites, GSAT, IRNSS, and space science books for students keen to read. The aim is to provide an interactive, hands-on learning environment to inspire students to explore careers in space and STEM fields. The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs issued the tender on June 20, inviting agencies to submit their bids by July 10 to implement the project across India. Importantly, the laboratories will be established only through ISRO-recognised 'space-tutor' organisations to ensure quality and accuracy. 'The target is to enhance the quality of education by bridging the educational gaps and open new avenues for tribal youth in the fields of space science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), through these Space Labs in Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) run by National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), a society under Ministry of Tribal Affairs across 26 states and UTs," said the ministry. The implementing agencies, which must be at least five years old, will handle the procurement in line with the norms and also support NSTFDC in mobilising additional CSR support to expand the initiative. They will also be responsible for donor branding and outreach, including short videos, coffee table books and other promotional content. This comes as India prepares to launch some of its ambitious space missions, with ISRO's first-ever human spaceflight Gaganyaan scheduled to take off in 2027. After successfully landing near the South Pole of the Moon in 2023, the space agency is now working towards another Chandrayaan mission to collect and bring back lunar samples. Also in the pipeline is Bharatiya Antariksh Station to be set up by 2035. Gaganyaan astronaut designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has been selected to fly to the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission-4, will also be interacting with students from various schools from space once the spacecraft docks into the ISS. The mission spearheaded by NASA, SpaceX and Axiom Space is currently without a launch date after being postponed multiple times. First Published: June 23, 2025, 09:32 IST
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Scientists use clever trick to count ghosts of the mountains
NEW DELHI: Wildlife scientists while enumerating snow leopards in India during the last population assessment used a smart trick to make the elusive big cats in the high and rugged Himalayas pose in front of cameras and get their foreheads having distinctive patterns, akin to human fingerprints, photographed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They used a scent, which only had a localised effect, in luring and making a snow leopard bend down and expose its forehead to the appropriately positioned camera trap, according to a recent study that explained the methodology adopted to count the big cats, nicknamed 'ghost of the mountains'. It was done by spraying a small amount of perfume just below the cameras that were deployed near their favoured scent marking rocks on high-ridge tops, said the authors of the study published last month in the open-access journal PLOS One. They added that once the curious leopards lower their heads to smell, the enumerators got their prized-unique pictures Though the snow leopard population assessment in India was done during 2019-23 and the counting figure, total 718 in India, was released last year, the scent lure method was revealed in the study by Pankaj Raina from the Ladakh wildlife protection department and co-authors, including senior wildlife scientist at the Indian national science academy, Yadvendradev V Jhala, and others from the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India. "We identified individual snow leopards through their unique forehead pattern," said the authors while underlining that every camera trap photograph was geotagged and stamped with the time and date information in the metadata. "The photo-captured species were identified using an AI-based software programme, CaTRAT, customised to identify Himalayan species. The identified species were subsequently validated by biologists," they said. The counting figures, released in 2024, show the highest number, 477, of snow leopards in Ladakh out of total population of 718 in India. Among the remaining ones, 124 snow leopards are in Uttarakhand, 51 in Himachal Pradesh, 36 in Arunachal Pradesh, 21 in Sikkim and 9 in Jammu & Kashmir. Covering approximately 1.2 lakh sq km, the counting exercise was conducted using a meticulous two-step framework. The first step involved evaluating snow leopard spatial distribution while the second step involved estimation using camera traps in each identified stratified region. During the exercise, camera traps were deployed at 1,971 locations, including 956 in Ladakh.
