Indian astronauts are going to go to space for the first time in 40 years, know how the preparations are going on

Prime Minister Modi had announced this during his US visit

The Axiom-4 mission is taking place under a bilateral initiative between India and the US. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced during his official visit to the US that an Indian astronaut would travel to the ISS. Following this, ISRO signed a spaceflight agreement with US human spaceflight service provider and infrastructure developer Axiom Space.

Both astronauts are Air Force test pilots

Shubhanshu Shukla and his backup partner Group Captain Prashant Nair are both test pilots of the Indian Air Force. They have joined an international team for this mission. Its commander Peggy Whitson gave the Times of India via email the details of Shukla's role, mission and other important information.

Mission commander gave information

He said, 'As an X-4 pilot, Shukla will assist me in essential spacecraft operations such as navigation and docking procedures. The training given to him will prepare him to deal with emergencies and perform critical system checks. Apart from this, Shukla will also look after scientific research by conducting microgravity experiments and management. This role involves extensive training in both technical and operational aspects of the spacecraft, ensuring that he is well prepared to contribute to the goals and overall success of the mission.'

Astronaut training continues

In a recent Instagram Live, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said Indian astronauts will conduct five experiments on the ISS as part of the mission. The mission will also help India in space flight operations and international collaboration for its Gaganyaan programme. Whitson said Axiom Space has conducted intensive training for the astronauts, with an emphasis on both technical skills and emergency preparedness.

The ISRO chief said, 'We are working closely with NASA and other international space agencies for ISS missions. In addition, Axiom invests in cutting-edge medical research and technology to monitor and maintain the health of astronauts during missions. By leveraging these strategies, Axiom Space aims to minimize risks and ensure the success of our missions.'

Agencies of many countries are working

Elaborating on the preparations, he said that to prepare for the mission, the X-4 astronauts will undergo rigorous training at NASA, Elon Musk-founded SpaceX, European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and other partner facilities. This training includes safety protocols, health management and ISS system operations.

Whitson is America's most experienced astronaut, with an impressive history of 675 days in space. She has twice been the ISS commander. Her current position as director of human spaceflight for Axiom Space emphasizes the mission's importance in advancing crewed spaceflight. Also part of the Ax-4 mission to the ISS are Slawoj Uznanski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.