Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which was scheduled to be launched on June 8, has now been postponed to June 10.
At a press convention held just about from the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew’s quarantine location in Florida, Axiom Space introduced that the crew is scheduled to launch to the ISS on June 10 at 8.22 am Eastern Time (ET) from Launch Complex 39A on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Inclement climate
“This shift allows teams to account for predicted inclement weather during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft transport in addition to completing final processing of the spacecraft ahead of launch,” NASA stated.
Following the launch on June 10, and after round 28 hours in orbit, the crew is scheduled to dock on the ISS at roughly 12.30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 11.
Group Captain Shukla would be the pilot of the Ax-4, and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson will command the industrial mission. European Space Agency challenge astronauts Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, are additionally a part of the crew.
The Ax-4 crew, which is presently in quarantine, shared insights into their remaining preparations.
Busy getting ready
Group Captain Shukla stated that he and his workforce have been very busy getting ready for the mission. “The best part is yet to come, which is when we launch to space, but I think we have been very fortunate with the combination of people sitting in these four chairs (referring to fellow crew members),” Group Captain Shukla stated.
He known as upon fellow Indians to be curious in regards to the mission. “I would just urge everybody back home to be excited about this mission and participate wholeheartedly. Be curious, be excited. I think we are going to do some really amazing things during our 14 days in the ISS,” he stated.
”We have sure reside occasions from orbit and we shall be doing reside interactions, together with one with a VIP. We could have interactions with college students, academia and likewise with the area trade in order that I can share not simply my story but in addition my expertise on orbit with individuals in our nation,” he stated in response to a query on whether or not he could be interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from area.
Food for area
Among the meals objects Group Captain Shukla stated he could be carrying are mango nectar, moong dal halwa, and carrot halwa.
Published – June 03, 2025 10:15 pm IST
