Latest news with #AxiomMission4
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Why Axiom-4 mission keeps getting delayed: Timeline of setbacks, new launch date
US space agency NASA recently announced the delay of the Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4) again due to operational concerns. Initially scheduled to launch on June 22, NASA opted to delay the mission yet again. The mission's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and Dragon spacecraft, are still on their assigned launchpad, Launch Complex 39A, at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASA still hopes to have a new launch date in the next few days. The crew of Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kamu, are set to remain in quarantine in Florida, in case a launch date is finalised. The mission is slated to be India, Hungary, and Poland's first government-sponsored flight in 40 years, and the three nations' second human spaceflight mission in history. The crew is expected to spend up to 14 days docked to the International Space Station (ISS) and carry out various scientific experiments. For India and Shubanshu Shukla, this mission would be the first time in 40 years that an Indian has been to space (after Rakesh Sharma's nearly eight-day voyage aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984). It would also make him the first Indian to step foot in the ISS, and the first member of the Gaganyaan team to go to space. Here is a look at the delays that have stalled the mission launch and reasons why. The mission was scheduled to launch on May 29, but was delayed to June 8 due to 'observations in an electrical harness in the Crew Dragon Module' (as per ISRO) The Falcon 9 rocket was underprepared for launch, and was subsequently delayed to the next day. Due to unfavourable weather, the launch was delayed by a day again. An oxygen leak in the engine was detected, alongside an issue in one of the engine actuators. ISRO anticipated a swift resolution to the issue. The launch was once again delayed by a day. While on-ground readings were favourable, NASA announced work with the Russian Space Agency. They announced they were evaluating a 'new pressure signature', giving indications of a potential leak in the back section of the ISS Zvezda, one of Russia's modules in the ISS. A further delay in launch was also announced. Following discussions involving teams from ISRO, Poland, Hungary, consultations between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, and evaluations of factors such as weather and crew health, June 22 was announced as launch day. Two days before the launch date, NASA announced a further delay. 'The space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory's Zvezda service module.' NASA said in a press release dated June 19. However, NASA hopes to finalise a new launch date in the coming days. (This article has been curated by Purv Ashar, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Axiom launch: Shubhanshu Shukla to take part in these 7 experiments in space
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is all geared up to take off to its destination, International Space Station (ISS), from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of the crew. He and other team members will conduct several experiments in space. The experiments that are to be conducted by Shukla, are developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other Indian institutions.(AFP) The launch, which was scheduled on Sunday, June 22, has been delayed. While the launch shas been postponed until further notice, Shukla and Axiom Mission will be reportedly conducting these 7 experiments in space. The experiments are developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other Indian institutions. 1. Myogenesis Co-ordinated by the Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), India, one of India's research missions as part of Axiom includes looking for the causes of muscle atrophy. Since astronauts suffer from muscle loss in space, Shukla will be looking into its causes in microgravity and identifying therapy-based strategies to deal with it. 2. Food crop seeds in microgravity Co-ordinated by Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology and Kerala Agricultural University, seeds of six varieties of crops will be taken to space to test their growth and development. Kerala Agricultural University expects to look for genetic properties that can be used for crop cultivation in space. 3. Sprouting salad seeds in the International Space Station (ISS) Co-ordinated by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad, this experiment aims to look for the effect of space on the process of germination and thriving of seeds. The seeds will be cultivated across generations to observe genetic and nutritional changes after the mission. 4. Voyager tardigrade Co-ordinated by Indian Institute of Science, this experiment aims towards finding the underlying reason behind how the almost indestructible micro-animals cope under extreme stress. The process involves rehydrating the organisms and studying their existence and healing procedures in space. 5. Voyager displays Also coordinated by Indian Institute of Science, this experiment will dive deep into researching the physical and cognitive consequences of computer screen usage in space by observing actions like pointing at the screen, and eyeball movements. It will also shed light on its effects on the astronaut's stress levels. 6. Cyanobacteria in microgravity Co-ordinated by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) with the European Space Agency (ESA), this experiment aims at examining cyanobacteria or water bacteria's photosynthesis abilities. Two strains of this bacterium will be experimented with to find out about their growth rates and biochemical activities in space. 7. Space microalgae Co-ordinated by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) & National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), India, this experiment will research into the metabolism, growth and genetic activities of microalgae without gravity, in space. Three strains of microalgae will undergo this experiment. With inputs from PTI
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
What we know: Axiom crew launch delayed, SpaceX rocket launch in Florida planned Sunday
The launch of the crewed Axiom Space mission is delayed indefinitely yet again, but those waiting to see a rocket launch will not have to wait long. The astronauts of private space company, Axiom Space, have seen delays due to spacecraft, weather, and rocket issues − and now most recently due to a recent repair onboard the International Space Station (ISS). When they do launch, the crew of four is traveling to the ISS for a two-week science mission stay. Axiom Space is working with NASA to create a space station which will attach to the current ISS before the planned 2030 decommission of the ISS. On June 12 a pressure issue was detected in the Russian Zvezda service module on the International Space Station. The crew onboard was not in danger, but NASA is still monitoring the situation. After announcing the launch would be attempted no earlier than the coming weekend, NASA released the following statement late June 19. "The space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory's 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 Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who holds the record for most time spent in space by an American. Whitson retired from NASA in 2018, but wasn't yet finished with space travel. In 2022, she brought her expertise to Axiom Space, flying on the Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Ahead of this flight, she has 675 days in orbit racked up. Joining Whitson are Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. These three crew members will bring a return to spaceflight for their respective countries,: In over 40 years these countries have not seen a government sponsored astronaut. The delay of Axiom Mission 4 does not mean no SpaceX launches. While SpaceX has yet to confirm, navigational warnings show a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch occurring between 1:47 a.m. and 6:17 a.m. early Sunday, June 22 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, known as Starlink 10-23, will be the latest batch of Starlink internet satellites. SpaceX traditionally favors early in the launch window, but factors such as weather play a role in timing. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live coverage beginning 90 minutes prior to liftoff at ULA has announced the ULA Amazon Project Kuiper 2 mission will now launch no earlier than 6:54 a.m. on Monday, June 23 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission is the second batch of Amazon internet satellites, a service comparable to SpaceX's Starlink. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What we know: Axiom launch delayed, SpaceX launch in Florida on Sunday
UPI
3 days ago
- Science
- UPI
Axiom-4 mission to space station put on hold
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is prepared to launch its Crew Dragon capsule and an International crew from the United States, Poland, Hungary and India on Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo June 20 (UPI) -- NASA will reschedule the Axiom-4 commercial mission to the International Space Station after postponing a launch that had been planned for than Sunday, the space agency said. The agency said it needs to ensure the space station is ready and able to receive added crew members, according to a statement released Thursday. The station's orbital laboratory's Zvezda service module was repaired recently, and NASA is reviewing data to confirm the station's interdependent and interconnected systems are prepared to handle additional people aboard. The planned commercial trip to the space station is to utilize a SpaceX Dragon rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The four-person flight crew members are from different countries, with Indian Space Research Organization astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to serve as pilot and European Space Agency astronauts Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary as mission specialists. The mission is to be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space. "With a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration," said Whitson in a quote from the Axiom Space website,. "Our previous missions set the stage and with Ax-4, we ascend even higher, bringing more nations to low-Earth orbit and expanding humanity's reach among the stars." According to Axiom Space, the mision is to be "the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date." With the space station in low-Earth orbit, crew members will conduct research under microgravity based in biological, life and material sciences and also undertake Earth observation. The astronauts are being kept in quarantine, and the SpaceX rocket and Crew Dragon capsule are on standby at Kennedy Space Center. Axiom-4 liftoff was originally planned for June 11, but then scrubbed after a leak was found in the Falcon 9 rocket.
India.com
3 days 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.
