Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

• Group Captain Shukla is also one of the four astronaut-designates selected for the ISRO-led Gaganyaan mission.

About the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) Mission

• Axiom-4 (Ax-4) is the fourth private astronaut mission organized by Axiom Space.
• The mission will launch in May 2025 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
• It is a 14-day mission to the ISS with a focus on scientific research and international collaboration.
• Crew Members
  • Mission Commander: Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut.
  • Pilot: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India).
  • Other Crew Members:
    • Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland, ESA astronaut)
    • Tibor Kapu (Hungary, ESA astronaut)
• Research Focus: It will be the most science-focused mission by Axiom Space to date.
• • The mission will carry out approximately 60 scientific studies.
  • Research involves 31 countries, including India, U.S., Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and others across Europe.

ISRO’s Research Contributions

• ISRO, in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), will conduct cutting-edge microgravity research.
• The research aims to:
• • Investigate cognitive and visual effects of computer screens in space.
  • Study growth, metabolism, and genetics of three microalgae strains in microgravity.
  • Compare cellular responses and biochemistry of two cyanobacteria strains in space.
  • Explore skeletal muscle dysfunction in microgravity and test potential therapies.
  • Examine how six crop seed varieties germinate and grow in space.
  • Identify molecular mechanisms of plant resilience in extreme environments.

Significance of the Mission for India

• Historic Milestone: Marks India’s return to human spaceflight after four decades and positions India as a participant in international commercial space missions.
• Scientific Advancement: It contributes valuable technical expertise and international experience for future Indian space endeavors.
• • Enhances India’s presence in microgravity and space biology research.
  • Supports development of long-duration space travel strategies.
  • Promotes scientific collaboration with major space agencies like NASA and ESA.
• Boost to Gaganyaan : The mission strengthens India’s preparedness for ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

About the International Space Station (ISS)

• The ISS is the largest human-made structure in space, launched in 1998 and continuously inhabited since 2011, orbiting Earth at an altitude of ~400 km.
• International Collaboration: It is a joint project involving NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada), symbolizing global cooperation in space exploration.
• Scientific and Medical Research Hub: The ISS enables studies in microgravity, aiding advancements in medicine (e.g., Alzheimer’s, cancer), fluid physics, and human biology, while also testing 3D printing and space farming.
• Future Plans and Global Space Ambitions: While Russia plans to exit the ISS, the US and Europe remain committed until 2030; India, China, and UAE are developing their own stations, with India’s Bhartiya Antriksh Station planned by 2035.