Axiom-4 Mission: IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla Heads to ISS After Month-Long Delay
SpaceX’s Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at around 4:45 pm IST.
The crew entered the ISS approximately an hour later, marking the beginning of a 14-day stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The Ax-4 mission launched on June 25 after nearly a month of delays.
Alongside Shukla are mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, as well as mission commander Peggy Whitson from the United States, a former NASA astronaut now associated with Axiom Space.
Second Indian in Space After Four Decades
Shukla’s journey to space makes him only the second Indian to travel beyond Earth, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984.
The 39-year-old fighter pilot, selected by ISRO, was chosen as the prime astronaut for this landmark flight.
After 26 hours in transit, the crew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft reached the ISS, having lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The Effects of Space Travel on the Human Body
Space travel significantly affects the human body due to microgravity and exposure to space radiation. In the absence of gravity, normal bodily functions are disrupted.
Afshin Beheshti, director of the Center for Space Biomedicine at the University of Pittsburgh, told Reuters that astronauts face both physiological and psychological challenges, especially during prolonged space missions.
Radiation levels in space are much higher than on Earth, although the ISS, located in low-Earth orbit, benefits from protection by Earth’s magnetosphere.
Astronauts travelling beyond low-Earth orbit, such as to the Moon or Mars, face even greater radiation exposure.
Health Challenges in Space
Microgravity impacts almost every part of the human body. Astronauts often experience space motion sickness, including headaches, nausea, and vomiting. This condition generally subsides after a few days as the body adjusts to microgravity.
Fluids in the body shift towards the head in space, causing temporary facial swelling and pressure on the eyes, sometimes leading to vision issues. Some vision changes reverse after returning to Earth, while others can be permanent.
Muscle and bone mass loss is another significant concern. Without proper diet and exercise, astronauts experience muscle deterioration at a much faster rate compared to Earth.
Studies show that just two weeks in space can cause a 20 percent reduction in muscle mass.
Longer stays can lead to a 40 percent decline in muscle mass and a 12 percent reduction in bone mass. It may take up to four years for bone mass to fully recover upon returning to Earth.
The heart also undergoes changes in space, with reduced workload leading to a decrease in size. After returning, the heart may face strain due to Earth’s gravity.
Radiation exposure in space increases the risk of DNA damage, cancer, and degenerative diseases. Spaceflight can also affect skin, genes, the immune system, and gut bacteria. Long-duration missions may cause mental health issues, including stress, sleep disturbances, cognitive decline, and mood disorders.
Shukla’s Historic Journey to the ISS
As Shukla and the Ax-4 crew will only spend two weeks aboard the ISS, they are unlikely to face many of the health issues associated with extended space travel. This mission has generated tremendous excitement in India.
Shukla is now the first Indian to visit NASA’s orbiting laboratory, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s mission. The Ax-4 crew is led by Peggy Whitson, a veteran astronaut who has commanded the ISS twice and spent over 675 days in space.
The mission, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space, is a collaboration between NASA, ISRO, the European Space Agency, and SpaceX.
Alongside Shukla, Uznanski-Wisniewski and Kapu also represent their countries’ return to space after more than four decades.
India’s Space Aspirations and Shukla’s Role
ISRO has emphasized that Shukla’s experience aboard the ISS will be invaluable for India’s future space plans. He was one of four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted last year for India’s first human space flight, set for 2027.
India has also announced plans for a space station by 2035 and aims to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
ISRO paid approximately 5 billion rupees to secure Shukla’s seat on the Ax-4 mission and cover his training.
Minutes after liftoff, Shukla addressed the nation. “We’re back in space after 41 years and what an amazing ride it’s been,” he said. “This is not the start of my journey to the ISS; this is the beginning of India’s human spaceflight.”
Scientific Experiments and National Pride
During their stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will conduct 60 scientific experiments, including seven from India.
These include testing how six types of crop seeds grow in space, examining three strains of microalgae for use as food or fuel, and studying how tardigrades, known for surviving extreme conditions, fare in space.
Other experiments will focus on understanding muscle loss in space and investigating the effects of computer screen use on cognition in microgravity.
ISRO has also planned interactive events for Indian students to engage with Shukla during his stay, along with a potential interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A Proud Moment for India
The launch was broadcast live by Axiom Space and NASA, sparking celebrations across India.
Prime Minister Modi praised Shukla, saying he carries the “wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.” In Lucknow, Shukla’s hometown, his family and hundreds of students celebrated the successful liftoff.
Shukla, born in Lucknow in 1985, joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 and has flown a variety of aircraft, accumulating over 2,000 hours of flight experience.
Reflecting on the journey, Shukla remarked, “It has been an amazing journey so far, but the best is yet to come. I carry not just instruments, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”
