Clock Ticking: Will Shubhanshu Shukla’s Rs 550 Crore Indian Space Experiments Survive Repeated Delays? | India News
Group captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s future astronaut, Axiom-4 (AX-4) International Space Station (ISS) will take a leading mission. This is the second time to fly into an Indian space after going on a flight in 1984. The mission was disturbed by seven delays by taking the latest launch date until June 25th.
The AX-4 mission is a commercial space flight mission, NASA, Axiom Space and SpaceX’s joint cooperation. The 4 -day mission of this 14 -day mission, which will carry out more than 60 scientific experiments,:
- Commander: Peggy Whitson (former NASA Astronaut, USA)
- Pilot: Shubhanshu Shukla (Indian Air Force Pilot, Isro)
- Task Specialist: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland)
- Task Specialist: Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
Shukla will be the first Indian to travel to ISS, one milestone in India’s ambitious space program, which spent 550 RS on the task.
Seven Indian experiments: depth
Seven experiments developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and other Indian institutions will investigate biological, agriculture and human adaptation themes in micro gravity, which will be very important for future space tasks and the world -related research.
Muscle atrophy work: This study will analyze the cause and possible treatment of muscle wasting experienced by space passengers. The results may be useful in the treatment of muscle disorders on the planet.
Product Seed Growth (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and IIT Dharwad): It will be analyzed in terms of genetic transformation of six crop seeds, growth patterns and genetic transformation in space. This study is important for future space agriculture activities.
Seed Germination (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and IIt Dharwad): Experiment will examine seed germination and nutritional changes. After the return, the seeds will be grown for several generations to examine genetic and nutritional changes.
Microorganism resistance (Indian Science Institute): Tardigrades (water bears), small animals with remarkable survival capabilities in extreme temperature, radiation and vacuum conditions, will better understand the survival of the organism during space travel.
Cognitive Effects of Screens (ISRO): This test will monitor the effect of the use of computer screen on the eye movement, concentration and mental stress in space, and follow the astronaut mental welfare and performance to improve the performance of deep -receiving tasks.
Microalg Development (ISRO): Three types of microalg food, fuel and life support system applications will be explored and will contribute to self -sustainability in orbit.
Cyanobacteria Research (ISRO): This test will examine the cellular and biochemical tendencies of the cyanobacterial varieties of two varieties in the micro -bedel, which can prove that it is critical for oxygen and food production in future tasks.
Causes behind serial delays
The AX-4 mission, which was initially planned for May 29, 2025, was postponed seven times due to various technical and security problems:
- May 29 – June 8: The first delay due to a malfunction in the electrical cable beam of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
- June 8 – June 10: Postpone the liquid oxygen (lox) leakage in SpaceX Falcon -9 rocket.
- June 10 – June 11: He was postponed due to bad weather conditions. Isro announced the Ist launch on 11 June 17:30.
- June 11 – Uncertain: Falcon -9 suggested another lox leakage and Isro additional repair and tests in the rocket booster.
- June 19 – June 22: NASA needed additional time for security controls after the latest repairs to the ISS’s Zvezda Service Module (Russian segment).
- June 22 – Uncertain: NASA postponed the launch to analyze repair data.
June 25 (Temporary): The launch date was temporarily planned on June 25, but NASA has not yet made a picture, but said that the station should be good for the new crew members, as I ISS has complex and interconnected systems.
Experiments and Security Measures Risks
Sequential delays take the integrity of biological samples (microalg, targrades, seeds) treated especially for micro gravitational experiments. Long -term explanation to world conditions may endanger quality and experimental data accuracy.
Degradation of Biological Samples: Samples such as Seeds of Kerala Agricultural University and Microalg may lose their vividness over time. Isro makes efforts to update these examples. Although Tardigrades is durable, long -term exposure to Earth may affect the experimental consequences.
Reconciled accuracy: Delays can change the biological state of samples that may reduce the accuracy of micro gravity results.
Logistics difficulties: Repeating and re -preparation of samples requires time and effort to increase the costs of duty.
Security measures
Preparation of Isro: Isro seriously undertakes the task of renewing biological examples and adopted special protection methods to protect their integrity.
NASA & SPACEX ATTENTION: NASA and SpaceX, ISS and Falcon-9 rocket meticulously examine. More tests are performed to correct lox leaks and repair the zvezda module.
Mürettebat Security: Four astronauts are still quarantine in Florida, where health and security are always monitored. The area of axiom confirmed that the crew is healthy and willing.
Launching window: There is a launch window until the end of June 2025. If this window opportunity is lost, the next chance will be in the middle of July.
