Why India’s Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS Journey Takes 28 Hours? Know The Science Of Space Docking | India News
The Indian group captain Shubhanshu Shukla will take a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission-4 (AX-4). The spacex Falcon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is planned at 12: 01 at the 9 rockets and Dragon Spacecraft. However, although it is relatively close, Shubhanshu Shukla and the crew will be able to reach and approximately 28 hours to reach and approach the orbit by laboratory.
This expanded journey stems from a complex interaction of technical and scientific factors. ISS orbit the Earth at a height of about 400 kilometers (250 miles) in the low soil orbit, and 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles / hour) is suffering in space. Seizing such a fast -moving target requires a definite orbit mechanics.
Causes of the 28 -hour transition:
Orbital stage maneuvers: ISS protects a certain orbit around the world. After the launch, the Dragon spacecraft must gradually adjust its orbit to fully comply with Iss. This process, known as “gradual maneuvers”, involves careful balance of the height and speed of the spacecraft with a number of repulsive fever. 16 Draco pushes, each of which produces 90 kilos of force, is very important for these adjustments.
Safety and Sensitivity: Placed with ISS is an extremely complex and sensitive procedure. The spacecraft must perfectly align the speed and position with the station to provide a safe connection. Any wrong calculation may have disaster results. Therefore, the dragon approaches the ISS slowly and deliberately and allows precise adjustments. After Leanch, it is spent 1-2 hours to carry out safety checks, including stabilizing the spacecraft and verify air pressure and checking gas leaks.
Dragon Spacecraft Design and Maturity: SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is relatively new, its first launch takes place in 2012. On the contrary, Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft, which has been in use since the 1960s, can reach ISS up to 8 hours. Soyuz’s long operational history and refined mathematical models allow faster transitions. SpaceX still optimizes Dragon’s mathematical models for launch timing and gradual maneuvers and contributes to the longer travel time.
Start windows and technical delays: “Start Windows” are critical in space tasks – precise periods that need to be launched to reach the target of a rocket with minimum fuel. Ax-4 mission has faced numerous postponement due to factors such as adverse weather conditions and technical problems (such as liquid oxygen leakage in Falcon 9). These delays can potentially complicate the flight plan by expanding the overall transition time.
Staged Flight Profile: Falcon 9 rocket works in two stages. The first stage supported by the Nine Merlin engine pushes the spacecraft from the world atmosphere before leaving for a vertical landing and returning. The second stage carries the dragon to the orbit. This stage and the time required to ensure that it is placed in the correct orbit also contributes to the extended travel time.
