Why in NEWS
India celebrates a proud milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma and the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
Key Concepts & Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) | A private spaceflight to ISS by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA |
| International Space Station (ISS) | A habitable satellite in Low Earth Orbit used for global scientific research |
| Gaganyaan | India’s first indigenous human spaceflight mission under development by ISRO |
| Low Earth Orbit (LEO) | Orbit up to 2,000 km above Earth, where the ISS and many satellites operate |
| Microgravity | A condition of very weak gravity experienced in space, useful for experiments |
News Details
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla joined the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, marking India’s debut human presence on the ISS.
The Ax-4 crew includes:
- Peggy Whitson (USA) – Veteran astronaut & Mission Commander
- Sławosz Uznański (Poland) – ESA Reserve Astronaut
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Payload Specialist
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Group Captain, IAF
This mission is part of Axiom Space’s commercial efforts to support private space research and tourism, and contributes data and experience relevant to India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
Key Features of Axiom-4 Mission
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Private Mission | Fourth commercial flight to ISS by Axiom Space |
| International Collaboration | 60+ scientific experiments from 31 countries, including India |
| Research Focus | Microgravity impact on crops, tardigrades, human physiology, screen use |
| Future-Oriented | Supports building of the first commercial space station by Axiom |
Significance for India
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Gaganyaan Prep | Provides India with critical human spaceflight training |
| Technological Leap | Helps develop future capabilities for Moon and Mars missions |
| Global Image | Enhances India’s profile as a serious space-faring nation |
| Economic Opportunities | Boosts private sector participation and global investment in space economy |
| Youth & STEM Inspiration | Encourages science learning and innovation among Indian youth |
Key Facts: International Space Station (ISS)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Microgravity lab for science, health, and tech innovations |
| Built By | NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada) |
| Experiments Conducted | Over 3,000 experiments from 108+ countries |
| Location | Low Earth Orbit (~400 km above Earth) |
| Size | Largest habitable structure in space |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “SHUKLA”
Space research boost
Historic ISS step
Unites global teams
Kickstart for Gaganyaan
Low Earth Orbit mission
Axiom’s commercial venture
Prelims Practice Questions
- Who is the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station?
A) Rakesh Sharma
B) Kalpana Chawla
C) Shubhanshu Shukla
D) Sunita Williams - The Axiom-4 mission contributes to which upcoming Indian space mission?
A) Chandrayaan-4
B) Mars Orbiter Mission-2
C) Gaganyaan
D) Aditya-L1 - Which of the following is not a participating agency in the ISS project?
A) ISRO
B) NASA
C) JAXA
D) Roscosmos
Mains Practice Questions
- (GS-3 – Science & Tech, 2023-style)
“Private space missions are redefining the future of space research.”
Discuss the role of the Axiom-4 mission and India’s participation in it. - (GS-2/GS-3 Interlink)
How does India’s involvement in international space missions strengthen its global diplomacy and science & tech leadership?
Prelims Answer Key
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian on the ISS |
| 2 | C | Ax-4 provides technical experience for India’s Gaganyaan mission |
| 3 | A | ISRO is not an ISS partner; NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA are |
