Shubhashnu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and a qualified test pilot. Commissioned in 2006, he has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flight time as both a combat and test pilot. His recent promotion to group captain took place in March 2024.
Shubhashnu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than 40 years, following Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984.
The Ax-4 mission is a NASA-approved private spaceflight initiative organized by Axiom Space. It will involve docking with the ISS for a duration of up to 14 days and includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary.
In this mission, Shukla will serve as a pilot, gaining essential experience in space operations. This includes adapting to microgravity, understanding launch protocols, and preparing for emergencies.
This mission signifies a strategic shift in India's space policy, emphasizing operational readiness and global collaboration. It represents India's serious commitment to long-duration human spaceflight on an international scale.
Shukla was chosen as part of ISRO's Human Spaceflight Programme (HSP) and underwent training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, which is renowned for its astronaut training programs.
The Ax-4 mission is a collaborative effort involving NASA, Axiom Space, the European Space Agency, the Hungarian Orbit Programme, and ISRO, showcasing a significant partnership in space exploration.
Joining Shukla are notable astronauts Peggy Whitson from the USA, Slawosz Uznanski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, forming a multinational crew for this historic mission.
Shukla is also a potential candidate for the Gaganyaan mission, which is India’s first crewed orbital flight. His participation in Ax-4 is set to enhance India’s capabilities in human spaceflight, paving the way for Gaganyaan.
This mission is noteworthy as it is India's first human spaceflight to the ISS. It underscores India's expanding role in global space exploration through public-private partnerships and international cooperation.
Q1. Who is Shubhashnu Shukla?
Answer: Shubhashnu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and a trained test pilot, recently promoted and set to become India's first astronaut to the ISS.
Q2. What is the Ax-4 mission?
Answer: The Ax-4 mission is a NASA-approved private spaceflight organized by Axiom Space, involving astronauts from multiple countries and docking with the ISS.
Q3. Why is the Ax-4 mission important for India?
Answer: It marks India’s significant return to human spaceflight and emphasizes operational readiness and global collaboration in space exploration.
Q4. How was Shubhashnu Shukla selected for the mission?
Answer: He was shortlisted under ISRO's Human Spaceflight Programme and trained at the prestigious Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia.
Q5. How does the Ax-4 mission relate to the Gaganyaan programme?
Answer: Shukla's role in Ax-4 is crucial for enhancing India’s human spaceflight capabilities, preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed orbital flight.
Question 1: Who is set to become the first Indian astronaut to the ISS?
A) Rakesh Sharma
B) Shubhashnu Shukla
C) Sunita Williams
D) Kalpana Chawla
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What organization is overseeing the Ax-4 mission?
A) ISRO
B) NASA
C) ESA
D) Axiom Space
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How long will the Ax-4 mission dock with the ISS?
A) 7 days
B) 14 days
C) 21 days
D) 30 days
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Which country is NOT involved in the Ax-4 mission?
A) Poland
B) Hungary
C) USA
D) Japan
Correct Answer: D
Question 5: What is the significance of the Gaganyaan programme?
A) India's first crewed orbital flight
B) A satellite mission
C) A lunar exploration program
D) An international collaboration
Correct Answer: A
Kutos : AI Assistant!
