Last-Minute Glitch Resolved, Subhanshu Shukla's Rocket Cleared for Launch🛠️👨‍🚀

Axiom Mission 4: India’s Historic Leap into Space🚀

New Delhi: The Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts, is set to lift off at 12:01 PM IST. The crew has already boarded SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, preparing for a landmark journey into space.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to become India’s second astronaut in space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic mission in 1984. Here's a breakdown of the top highlights from this extraordinary mission:

Pre-Launch Hiccup Resolved🛠️

A minor glitch related to weather data upload to the Crew Dragon spacecraft was quickly fixed, as confirmed by Eric von Ann from WKMGTV News 6 in Orlando.

Iconic Launch Site🌕

The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center — the same historic pad used for the Apollo 11 moon mission in 1969.

India’s Second Human Spaceflight👨‍🚀

Group Captain Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force fighter pilot, was selected by ISRO. He follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma after nearly 40 years.

Strict Health Protocols🩺

In the lead-up to the mission, Shukla underwent a month-long quarantine to ensure the crew's health and prevent any infections before space travel.

Science-Driven Mission🔬

The two-week journey will include 60 scientific experiments, with 7 contributed by Indian researchers, covering areas from biology to material science.

Outreach from Space📡

As part of the mission’s educational objectives, Shukla will connect with a VIP from space, promoting space science among the public and young students worldwide.

Multiple Launch Delays⏳

Originally scheduled for May 29, the launch faced several delays due to weather and technical issues like an oxidizer leak. June 25 is the sixth scheduled attempt.

Privately Operated Mission🛰️

Axiom-4 is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS, managed by Houston-based Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA.

Mission Akash Ganga🌌

The mission, dubbed "Mission Akash Ganga", stems from a landmark space agreement announced during PM Narendra Modi’s 2023 U.S. visit.

Strengthening Indo-US Space Ties🤝

This is the first major joint human spaceflight between ISRO and NASA, symbolizing a deeper Indo-US partnership in space exploration and diplomacy.

A Giant Leap for India and Global Space Collaboration🌍

This launch marks a monumental milestone not just for India’s space ambitions but also for international cooperation in space — truly a mission to watch!

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