Latest news with #RakeshSharma
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
International Day Of Yoga 2025: When India's Gift To The World Went To Space
New Delhi: Indian and Indian-origin astronauts have always shown their admiration for yoga as a core component of keeping themselves physically fit and mentally strong. The International Day of Yoga will be celebrated on Saturday. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (retired), the first Indian to fly to space over 40 years ago, used a special harness to do 'asanas' (yoga positions) amid the challenges posed by the absence of gravity. He then compared the results of his yoga routine in space with the training regimen followed by Russian cosmonauts who were on the mission with him. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot and astronaut who is set to make history by becoming the second Indian to fly to space, has also been described as a big fan and practitioner of yoga by his mission commander Dr Peggy Whitson. "He is a fitness-freak and highly into yoga, so I am sure he will balance it," Dr Peggy said in an interaction with the press recently. Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams incorporated yoga into her fitness on board the International Space Station (ISS) when she was stranded there for nine months. In April 2024, Wing Commander Sharma told NDTV that the yoga experiment was included in the mission brief of the Soyuz T-11, the sixth expedition to the Soviet Salyut 7 space station which launched on April 3, 1984, because all space-faring countries were looking for methods to avoid space sickness. "And there were various preparation methods... the one which the West followed and the one which the Soviet Union followed at that time. So here was an attempt to find out if the yogic method of preparing space travellers to withstand the rigours of space would offer a different, viable alternative. Both Ravish sir (Ravish Malhotra, his backup on the mission) and I did yoga about three to four months before the launch," he had told NDTV. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said yoga is India's gift to the world. The International Day of Yoga is a celebration of the journey of a tradition that transcends borders. According to government data, global participation on the International Day of Yoga increased from 9.59 crore people in 2018 to 24.53 crore people in 2024. Record-breaking events include entering into the Guinness World Record at the UN with 135 nationalities in 2023, and multiple records including 25.93 lakh online pledges in Uttar Pradesh in 2024. On global campaigns, yoga was performed at iconic sites like Eiffel Tower, Dead Sea, and Mount Everest base camp in 2022. The Ocean Ring of Yoga was achieved in 2023. The theme for this year's International Day of Yoga is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. Over one lakh locations will host mass yoga events, with the main event scheduled in Visakhapatnam.
India.com
10 hours ago
- Science
- India.com
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS space mission Axiom-4 postponed for sixth time by NASA due to..., new date...
New Delhi: The Axiom-4 mission to take Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed for the sixth time. It was to be launched on June 22, but it was postponed due to security check of ISS. Earlier this mission was to be launched on June 11, but it was postponed due to oxygen leak in the propulsion bay. Second Indian after Rakesh Sharma In Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), four astronauts from four countries are going to the space station for 14 days. They include Peggy Whitson from the USA, Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, referred to as Shux by his crewmates, will become India's second astronaut in space and the first one to go to the ISS. In 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma spent almost eight days on board the Soviet Salyut-7 Orbital Station. NASA said that more time is needed to review and conduct safety checks on the recent repair work done in the rear of the ISS's Zvezda service module. Many systems of the space station are interconnected, so it is important for the new team to have all technical systems fully ready. Oxygen leak SpaceX teams need more time to fix the liquid oxygen (LOX/ LOXygen) leak found in the booster inspection after the static fire test and will announce the new launch date once the repair is complete and the range is available. Objective of the mission The main objective of the Ax-4 mission is to do research in space and test new technology. This mission is also to promote private space travel and is part of the Axiom Space planning, which plans to build a commercial space station (Axiom Station) in the future. Scientific experiments: Conducting various experiments in microgravity. Technology testing: Testing and development of new technologies in space. International collaboration: Providing a platform to astronauts from different countries. Educational activities: Inspiring people on Earth from space and spreading awareness. About Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 and has also been selected for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, which is India's first human space mission. To become an astronaut, he took special training in Russia and America. In this, he learned to work in microgravity, emergency handling, and scientific experiments.
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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Science
- Business Standard
Axiom-4 mission carrying India's Shubhanshu Shukla delayed for 6th time
Nasa has once again postponed the launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as part of its four-member crew, was rescheduled for Sunday, June 22. It will now take place on a date to be announced later. Axiom Space said Nasa has decided to stand down from the planned launch of Axiom Mission 4 on Sunday, June 22, and will announce a new launch date in the coming days. The space agency requires additional time to continue assessing operations aboard the International Space Station following recent repair work in the aft-most section of the orbital laboratory's Zvezda service module, it said. . @NASA, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4. NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days. — International Space Station (@Space_Station) June 19, 2025 'Given the space station's complex and interdependent systems, Nasa is taking the necessary time to review data and ensure it is ready to support additional crew members,' Axiom Space said in a statement. Nasa mission delayed for sixth time This is the sixth time the mission has been postponed. Originally scheduled for launch on May 29, it was subsequently delayed to June 8, then to June 10, June 11, June 19, and later to June 22 before the most recent deferment. Ax-4 mission marks historic milestone for India, Poland, Hungary The Ax-4 crew comprises astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the International Space Station and their first government-sponsored human spaceflight in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will become India's second astronaut to go to space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984. His participation in Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4) marks a key milestone in India's space collaboration with Nasa. Axiom Space stated that the Ax-4 mission would 'realise the return' to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, signalling a historic revival of government-sponsored space missions for all three countries. Ax-4 crew continues to remain in quarantine in Florida, in line with all established health and safety protocols.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
NASA's Axiom-4 mission with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla delayed for sixth time
NASA has again postponed the launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as part of its four-member crew. The launch, which was planned for Sunday, June 22, has now been delayed, and a new date will be announced at a later time. 'NASA has made the decision to stand down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days,' Axiom Space said in a statement on Thursday. The delay comes as NASA continues to assess the condition of the ISS following recent repairs in the back section of the Zvezda service module. 'Because of the space station's interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure the station is ready for additional crew members, and the agency is taking the time necessary to review data,' the statement added. This is the sixth time the mission has been postponed. Originally set for launch on May 29, it was first delayed to June 8, then to June 10, June 11, June 19, and later June 22 before the latest deferment. Earlier delays were caused by multiple issues, including a delay in the readiness of the Falcon 9 rocket, bad weather, a liquid oxygen leak, and a technical fault in the space station's service module. Also Read | Why Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission has been postponed five times | Explained The Axiom-4 mission is significant as it marks a return to space for India, Hungary, and Poland. The launch will take place aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom-4 mission holds special importance for India, as it will make Shubhanshu Shukla the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984. Shukla is part of Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission, which also marks a key moment in India's growing space partnership with NASA.
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First Post
a day ago
- Science
- First Post
ISRO has been very successful; Subhanshu Shukla will carry the torch forward: Rakesh Sharma
April 3, 1984, marks a historic milestone in India's space journey. On this day, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma of Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to travel to space, as he flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 which was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The mission crew also included two Russians, including spacecraft commander Yury Malyshev and flight engineer Gennadi Strekalov. After reaching the orbit, the trio docked with the Salyut 7 space station, where Sharma spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes and conducted various scientific and technical experiments. During the course of the mission, Sharma participated in a televised conversation with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. When she asked him, how does India look from space, he famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha'—a phrase that has since become part of India's space folklore. Sharma returned to Earth, landing safely near the town of Arkalyk in northern Kazakhstan. On April 3, 1984, the Department of Posts commemorated this historic event by issuing a postage stamp and a First Day Cover. The stamp depicts the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft approaching the Salyut 7 space station, symbolizing the critical docking phase of the mission. Via a gazette notification dated May 7, 1985, the Government of India conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, the 'Ashoka Chakra', on him. As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his international flight as part of Axiom-4 mission to become the second Indian to travel to space, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma shares his views on India's quest for the stars. Excerpts: Q. How did it feel to be the first Indian to travel to space aboard Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984? A. Although I have been following manned space programme ever since Yuri Gagarin's space flight, I have to admit that I never dreamt of ever going to space, primarily because the Indian Space Research Organisation at that time never had a manned space programme. But when we learned, we in the Air Force, I mean, that Mrs. Gandhi had asked the Indian Air Force whether we would like to send one of our pilots to space, so Air Chief Marshal Latif, who was the chief of the air staff at that time, thankfully said yes. And then this long selection process started, at the end of which Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra and myself were selected to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmodrome Training Centre just outside Moscow at Star City. Q. How did your career as a fighter pilot prepare you for the rigors of spaceflight? A. Well, my career as a fighter pilot, most importantly, prepared me for the space flight because the qualification that was required from amongst the aspirants, the selection was made from amongst military pilots, fighter pilots who were test pilots. And so, I was one. So was Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra and quite a few others. And then a long series of medical tests started. So, in that sense, if I hadn't been in the Air Force, at least for that flight, I wouldn't have been qualified even to get selected. So that's how the Indian Air Force helped me to be one of the aspirants for selection. Q. Millions of Indians still fondly recall the moment when you famously described India as 'Saare Jahan Se Achha.' What are your own recollections of that historic moment? A. Well, my recollection of that particular event. I do remember that I was extremely nervous because one doesn't get to speak with one, our country's prime minister. We were never trained for that, never had the opportunity to do that and to then do it from space near Earth orbit at a time when I knew that the entire country would be following this. So that was discomforting, you know. So, I tried to remain focused on what she was asking. And that's how that interview went. So, I know later on, it has become quite a historic sort of a reply to her question. But that was because, I must tell you that our country truly looks beautiful from space. Q. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to take forward your legacy as he goes to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 team. How do you view India's advancements in Space Technology from 1984-2025? A. Group captain Subhanshu Shukla indeed is going to be carrying the torch forward. And I must say it's been 41 years and during this period, ISRO has been slowly, steadily and very, very successfully realising the vision that was given to it from stalwarts like Vikram Sarabhai and other worthies. Satish Dhawan and the various chairman of ISRO have been working towards that vision, which is to use satellite technology for the betterment of our nation, both economically as well as how the output of space would impact the lives of our countrymen. positively. So, in that sense, I must say that ISRO has very successfully realised those aims. Along with that, the science which ISRO has done has been also very commendable, whether you take missions to the moon or to Mars, which were also very successful and lately to the sun, that is the Aditya mission. So, a lot has happened and moving on towards man space programme, it is the logical next step and presently ISRO is working towards that end and I'm very confident that very shortly we will be having our own astronauts launching on our own launchers from our own space port and that will be something worth cheering about. Yes, and Subhanshu Shukla will share all the experience he is going to gain shortly on this Axiom 4 flight. And we are all looking forward to his flight and a safe return and further contributions towards the manned space programme of India. Q. You have been closely associated with the Gaganyaan Mission, which is scheduled for next year. How crucial is the mission for India's space programme? A. I think I have partially answered this question during my answer to the previous question of yours. So, this particular flight and the Gaganyaan mission thereafter is going to demonstrate and give us confidence in taking humans to near Earth orbit and returning them safely. And it would have proven the technology of space transportation towards near Earth orbit and back. And that is crucial for the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, which is going to be set up years from now. And then that becomes the laboratory where we are going to be doing science, quite like what is presently being done at the International Space Station. So, all this experience. is going to benefit us and we know what the landscape is going to be like and what the state of art is required to be perfected before we embark on those important missions. Q. How do you view India's space journey today—especially Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, and Aditya missions? A. Well, the missions you have mentioned, Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and Aditya missions, I must say that they have been extremely successful as has been demonstrated and reported by the media. Now, the thing is that what stands out is the frugality with which India has achieved these missions on a shoestring budget. But the technology is absolutely indigenous. And on the very first attempt, we have managed to achieve success for these missions. So, we're going to look forward to many more such scientific missions. And one thing I'd like to highlight, and that is India's approach, which is that all the science data which we have collected already from Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and we will be doing from Aditya is freely shared with other countries. So, we are not trying to keep it to ourselves. We are sharing all the data with all the other countries so that they also benefit, even though the Indian taxpayer is paying for these missions. But then that's who we are, and that is our cultural ethos. We believe that the world is one family. Q. What advice would you give to young Indians who dream of becoming astronauts? A. For young Indians who are dreaming to become astronauts, all I have to say is, when opportunity comes knocking on your door, just remember to open the door. And if you think that it's going to be extremely difficult for you to become an astronaut, just remember that things are never as difficult as they appear at first glance. So, just go for it. and make sure and there are many verticals with which you can be a researcher you can be an environmental engineer because there's a lot of activity that's going to happen in the medium term when we set up colonies initially on moon and later on, mars so don't miss the bus and all the best to all of you. Jai Hind.
