Is Shubhanshu Shukla's Historic Space Flight Happening Tomorrow?
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Synopsis
Get ready for a historic moment! Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to embark on a groundbreaking journey to the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone for India and space exploration. Scheduled for June 25, this mission promises to enhance our understanding of sustainable life in space.
Key Takeaways
- Shubhanshu Shukla is set to launch on June 25, 2023.
- This mission is a historic milestone for India in space exploration.
- Shukla will conduct innovative experiments aboard the ISS.
- The mission emphasizes international collaboration in space research.
- The research will enhance our understanding of sustainable life in space.
New Delhi, June 24 (NationPress) After several postponements, NASA has officially set a new date for Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's momentous journey to the International Space Station. Shukla is now scheduled to launch on June 25 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
"NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are aiming for a launch time of 2:31 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 25, for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4," NASA shared in a recent update on the social media platform X.
"The crew will journey to the orbiting laboratory aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, following a launch on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket," the post elaborated.
This mission was initially set for May 29 but has faced multiple rescheduling, first to June 8, then to June 10, June 11, and most recently June 19.
Its latest target was June 22, but it was postponed again due to ongoing evaluations of recent repairs on the Russian Zvezda service module's aft section, located on the ISS.
"The expected docking time is around 7 a.m. on Thursday, June 26. More details and coverage information will be provided shortly by NASA," the US space agency stated.
This mission is of great historical importance for India. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone as only the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's flight in 1984.
Shukla will be the pilot of the mission, alongside Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States.
Additional crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists. Once aboard the ISS, Shukla is set to conduct groundbreaking experiments focused on food and space nutrition.
These experiments, developed in collaboration with ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and supported by NASA, aim to improve our understanding of sustainable life-support systems—an essential element for future long-duration space missions.
The research will also investigate the influence of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, which is considered a nutrient-rich, promising food source for upcoming space expeditions.
This experiment will assess vital growth factors and analyze transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in various algal species in space compared to their behavior on Earth.
Point of View
I believe that Shubhanshu Shukla's upcoming mission symbolizes India’s growing prowess in space exploration. This mission not only highlights our advancements in technology but also our commitment to international collaboration in scientific research. The world will be watching as India takes another significant step into the cosmos.
NationPress
24/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Shubhanshu Shukla's flight scheduled?
Shubhanshu Shukla's flight is scheduled for June 25 at 2:31 a.m. EDT.
What is the significance of this mission for India?
This mission is historic as Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, marking a significant milestone for India's space exploration efforts.
What experiments will Shubhanshu Shukla conduct?
Shukla will conduct experiments related to food and space nutrition, focusing on sustainable life-support systems and the effects of microgravity on edible microalgae.
Who are the other crew members on the mission?
The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson from the US, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
What rocket will be used for the launch?
The launch will utilize SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to carry the crew to the ISS.
