Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Completes First Week in Space with Axiom Mission 4

A Week in Space for Shubhanshu Shukla

Astronaut Shubhanshu 'Shaks' Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), has successfully completed his first week in space. On Wednesday, he took a break to connect with his family back on Earth and prepare for the upcoming research activities scheduled to begin the following day, as reported by Axiom Space on their blog.

The Ax-4 crew consists of commander Peggy Whitson, pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and mission specialists Slavosz Ujnanski-Wishniewski and Tibor Kapu. Since their arrival at the ISS on June 26, the team has orbited the Earth approximately 113 times, traveling over 2.9 million miles—equivalent to nearly 12 times the distance to the Moon.

During their day off on Wednesday, the crew focused on rest, but starting Thursday, they resumed their research and technical experiments. In just seven days, the mission team has made significant contributions to scientific research.

Commander Peggy Whitson is investigating tumor cell behavior in microgravity, which could lead to advancements in cancer treatment. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla is examining the growth and genetic behavior of algae in space, along with studying tardigrades, tiny microorganisms that may have implications for medical and biological research on Earth.

Mission Specialist Slavosz Ujnanski-Wishniewski is evaluating a wearable device designed to enhance sound level monitoring aboard the space station. Meanwhile, Tibor Kapu is utilizing a Hungarian dosimeter to measure radiation levels and is spearheading a project to cultivate microgreens in space, which is crucial for future food security in extraterrestrial environments.

This mission is historic as it marks the first collaboration of astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary on an ISS mission, reviving these nations' participation in human spaceflight after a 40-year hiatus.

Over 60 scientific experiments are being conducted during the Ax-4 mission, underscoring the increasing importance of commercial and international partnerships in space exploration. The mission has also allowed the crew to witness over a hundred sunrises and sunsets, inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in science.

Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 at 12 PM Indian time from NASA's Kennedy Space Center using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS's Harmony module ahead of schedule on June 26 at 4:05 PM IST.