In November 2024, Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that two Indian astronauts, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (prime) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (backup), referred to as the Gaganyatris, selected for the upcoming Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS), have successfully completed the initial phase of their training.
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) operated by the USA-based Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX (an American space technology company)
Key Points:
i.As part of the ongoing collaboration between the ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the two Gaganyatris began their training in the United States of America(USA) in August 2024.
ii.The initial training phase focused on several important aspects of the mission:
- Ground Facility Orientations: The astronauts completed orientations on mission-related ground facilities.
- Launch Phases Overview: They received an overview of the various stages involved in the mission launch.
- SpaceX Suit Fitting: The astronauts underwent SpaceX suit fitting checks to ensure they are properly prepared for space travel.
- Space Food Selection: They also selected their space food options, crucial for their time aboard the ISS.
iii.In addition to these foundational activities, the Gaganyatris participated in familiarisation sessions with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. They learned about the onboard systems of the ISS, including:
- Space Photography: Training included learning space photography techniques.
- Daily Operations and Communication: The astronauts were trained on the daily operations routine and communication protocols aboard the ISS.
iv.One of the key highlights of this training phase was preparing the astronauts for various emergency situations in space.
- This included training for medical emergencies that might occur during the mission, ensuring the crew is ready to handle any unforeseen circumstances in the challenging environment of space.
v.The next phase of training will address the remaining modules of the U.S Orbital Segment of the ISS. The astronauts will also prepare for conducting scientific research experiments in a microgravity environment.
Note: India is likely to send an astronaut to the ISS by April 2025 as part of the NASA-ISRO collaborative initiative. This marks a major milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman- Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarter- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded- 1969
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
Administrator– Bill Nelson
Headquarter– Washington, D.C., United States of America, USA
Founded-Â 1958
