By Gp Capt TH Anand Rao (Retd)
The wait to see another Indian in space will soon be over. Following a key agreement between India and the US to undertake a joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS) during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2023, the governments of both countries announced their intent to move ahead with cooperation on human spaceflight. This would include flying an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station ISS).Following up on this, the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) entered into a historic Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with M/s Axiom Space Inc., USA, which is a NASA-identified service provider, for its upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. In early August this year, two IAF pilots who trained for the Gaganyaan programme, were selected for the mission. They are Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (main) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (backup).
According to a press release issued by ISRO, these astronauts have commenced their training for the mission in the US. They would spend about two weeks in space and will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities. The Axiom-4 mission to the ISS is expected to launch in April 2025. The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme and will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA.
Crew and training
It is indeed a matter of pride for India that it is undertaking such a multilateral exercise involving four countries. The other partners to the Axiom-4 joint mission to the ISS are Hungary and Poland. The crew assigned to the mission comprises Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznanski (Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Training for the joint mission is planned at multiple facilities, including those of SpaceX, NASA, ESA and JAXA. The training would cover all aspects of the mission, from safety protocols and health management to ISS systems operations. The crew will practice in the existing ISS mock-ups, reviewing procedures and enacting emergency scenarios to ensure readiness for any situation. In an interview, while sharing details of the crew, mission commander Peggy Whitson stated: “As the Axiom-4 pilot, Shukla will assist me in conducting essential spacecraft operations, such as navigation and docking procedures. Training will prepare him to handle emergencies and perform critical system checks. Additionally, Shukla will support scientific research by setting up and managing microgravity experiments.”
She also elaborated on the rigorous training that the crew members were undergoing.
“The crew is working closely with NASA and other international space agencies to ensure smooth integration with the ISS. Additionally, Axiom has invested in cutting-edge medical research and technology to monitor and maintain astronaut health during missions,” Whitson said.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath, in a statement, mentioned that the Indian astronaut will also conduct five experiments aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, gaining valuable experience in space operations and international collaboration.
The choice of crew from such diverse social, traditional, cultural and economic backgrounds will foster cooperation and collaboration through the sharing of knowledge, resources, and opportunities among partners. The crew combination will promote harmony in future space missions too, by allowing the astronauts to get accustomed to unfamiliar partners. The dividends for India are immense and cannot be quantified in words. The experience gained will be invaluable for India’s upcoming space missions of the Gaganyaan and Bharat Anatriksh Station (BAS).
About the ISS
The destination, ISS, is an international partnership of five space agencies, viz., NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency. The space station was designed and assembled in several stages between 1984 and 1993. In 1993, the Russians were invited to participate in the ISS programme as the station was undergoing a redesign. Now, NASA and Roscosmos jointly operate the ISS along with other partners, with each partner responsible for managing and controlling the hardware it provides. The ISS is a unique orbital laboratory that is enabling a variety of scientific experiments in micro-gravity that are not possible on Earth. It promotes educational and technological developments to benefit mankind. This technological marvel in orbit is nearing its end of life but will be maintained in orbit until 2030.
Indian in space
India’s rendezvous with human spaceflight started way back in 1982 when the government made a historic decision to send an Indian into space. This was the outcome of the Indo-Russian cooperation in space which led to a joint effort between the two nations for sending an Indian crew member aboard the Soviet spacecraft, Soyuz T-11. On April 3, 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, a test pilot of the Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to orbit space and visit the Soviet space station Salyut-7, along with two Russian cosmonauts, Mission Commander Yury Malyshev and Flight Engineer Gennady Strekalov. In the years that followed, NASA had offered to accommodate an Indian on board the space shuttle ‘Challenger’ which was then the contracted carrier for the launch and deployment of India’s communication satellites, INSAT1-C and 1-D. ISRO had selected two of its scientists, N Chidambar Bhat and P Radhakrishnan Nair, for the flight. The two astronaut candidates underwent training as payload specialists. Unfortunately, the mission had to be shelved because of space shuttle Challenger’s mid-air disaster in January 1986. The Indian satellite was later launched by an Ariane rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. One of these scientists could well have been India’s second astronaut in space, had the space shuttle accident not occurred.
It will now be after four decades that an Indian astronaut will make history once again, marking India’s first participation in the ISS programme. This milestone mission will be India’s second human spaceflight mission if all goes well. The India Gaganyaan mission is expected to follow soon thereafter.
Takeaways
The space community is buzzing with enthusiasm over India’s participation in the ISS. In a statement on August 3, 2024, Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, said: “India, with its rich history in space exploration and clear leadership in technology and entrepreneurship, will be crucial in shaping the domain and advancing humanity’s presence in space. We look forward to working together with ISRO on this next mission.”
India will stand to gain immensely from the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. This mission will play a defining role in advancing India’s space capabilities. In particular, the Gaganyaan mission which will send an Indian vyomonaut into space on an indigenous carrier will have many takeaways. The designated Indian astronauts and scientists deputed for the Axiom-4 mission will get an opportunity to train at world-class facilities and gain first-hand experience in the constrained environment of a space station. There will be multiple lessons learnt for the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station too, which will start launching in 2028. Understanding the technical and human-system interfaces of the Axiom-4 crew module and its compatibility with the ISS is invaluable for ISRO. The collaboration will definitely enhance ISRO’s capabilities in mission planning, execution, and emergency preparedness which are key factors in ensuring the success of the Gaganyaan mission. For the astronauts, the ISS experience will give a hands-on experience and equip them with crucial insights on spacecraft operations, including emergency handling. Further, it will help the Indian astronauts adapt to the unique conditions of microgravity and manage the complexities of space missions. This experience will also prove invaluable in streamlining the processes for training the next-generation astronauts of the future.
As India and the US take this partnership forward, it will be a pivotal moment epitomising a shared commitment towards space exploration, collaboration and building capabilities. For India, the space mission will fuel an innovative spirit, inspiring a new generation of space scientists and entrepreneurs, similar to what was seen after the successful moon landing of Chandrayaan-3.
India’s journey through space is filled with amazing stories of hard work and successes despite the economic challenges, making India a beacon of inspiration in the global space community. India is emerging as a technology leader and entrepreneurial hub which is making the country a favourable partner for international collaboration in space activities. The opportunity to collaborate with NASA on a mission to the ISS is a boon for India’s space community and we must make the most of it.
