Two Indian Astronauts Selected for Axiom-4 Mission

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in the News?
• About Axiom-4 Mission
• Mission Objectives
• Key Features
• About International Space Station (ISS)
• Participating Space Agencies
• News Summary

Why in the News?

• India has shortlisted two astronaut-designates for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

About Axiom-4 Mission

• Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station.
• It is operated by Axiom Space and uses a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
• The flight is in collaboration with NASA and will be the fourth flight of Axiom Space after Axiom Mission 1, Axiom Mission 2 and Axiom Mission 3.
• Scheduled to launch in 2024, Axiom-4 will continue the company's pioneering efforts to establish a sustainable human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Mission Objectives

• Commercial Space Endeavours:
  • Axiom-4 aims to facilitate commercial activities in space, including scientific research, technological development, and space tourism.
  • The mission will help demonstrate the viability of commercial space stations as a platform for business and innovation.
• International Collaboration:
  • Axiom-4 is set to carry a diverse crew of astronauts from different countries, reflecting the growing international interest in space exploration.
  • This mission will strengthen partnerships between nations and contribute to global space initiatives.
• Research and Development:
  • The mission will support various scientific experiments and technological tests in the unique microgravity environment of space.
  • Research areas include materials science, biology, Earth observation, and more, with the potential to yield groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.

Key Features

• Spacecraft and Crew:
  • The mission will use a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The crew will consist of professional astronauts and private individuals, including researchers and potentially tourists, who have undergone rigorous training for the mission.
• Duration and Activities:
  • Axiom-4 is expected to be a short-duration mission, lasting approximately 14 days.
  • During their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the crew will conduct scientific experiments, perform technology demonstrations, and engage in educational outreach.
• Commercial Space Station Development:
  • Axiom Space's long-term vision includes building the world's first commercial space station.
  • The Axiom-4 mission is part of the company's broader plan to eventually transition from the ISS to their own independent orbital outpost.

About International Space Station (ISS)

• International Space Station is a modular space station launched in 1998.
  • Modular stations can allow modules to be added to or removed from the existing structure, allowing greater flexibility.
• It is a large laboratory in space that allows astronauts to come aboard and stay for weeks or months to carry out experiments in microgravity.
• The first crew on the ISS arrived on November 2, 2000.
• Objective:
  • To conduct scientific research in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields.
• It is the largest artificial object in space.
• It circles the Earth in roughly 93 minutes, completing 15.5 orbits per day.
• Currently, the ISS has eight solar arrays generating about 160 kilowatts of power total.
• Altitude: 400 km

Participating Space Agencies

• It is a multinational collaborative project involving five participating space agencies:
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)
  • Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Russia)
  • Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Japan)
  • European Space Agency (Europe)
  • Canadian Space Agency (Canada)
• The station is divided into two sections:
  • The Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) – Operated by Russia,
  • The United States Orbital Segment (USOS) – Operated by the US as well as many other nations.
• The ownership & use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties & agreements.

News Summary

• India has selected Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• This mission is part of a joint ISRO-NASA effort, stemming from a Space Flight Agreement with Axiom Space Inc.
• Group Captain Shukla will serve as the prime mission pilot, with Group Captain Nair as the backup.
• Both astronauts will undergo training in the U.S. starting in August 2024.
• Their participation will contribute to scientific research, technology demonstrations, and enhance India's human space program while strengthening ISRO-NASA cooperation.

Q1. What is the Lower Orbit of the Earth?

Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) is an orbit with altitude ranging from 200–300 km to 1600 km. In LEO, particles of different origin are encountered: protons, electrons, heavy ions, neutrons, and others.

Q2. What is Lagrange Point in simple words?

Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two-body system like the Sun and Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. These can be used by spacecraft as "parking spots" in space to remain in a fixed position with minimal fuel consumption.

Source: India selects 2 crew members for Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station