TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that two of the astronauts selected for its maiden human spaceflight mission, ‘Gaganyaan’, will travel to the U.S. in the first week of August to train there for a mission to the International Space Station.
EXPLANATION:
- NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than August 2024 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
- This mission represents a significant step forward in the space cooperation between India and the United States.
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is expected to spend up to 14 days docked to the space station.
- NASA and Axiom Space mission planners will coordinate in-orbit activities for the private astronauts as they work with station crew members and flight controllers on the ground.
- Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members for the Ax-4 mission to NASA and its international partners for review.
- The Ax-4 crew members had trained with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX for their flight.
- Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station, and to familiarize the private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for the Dragon spacecraft.
- Axiom Space is obtaining NASA services via both a mission-specific order and a reimbursable Space Act Agreement.
The Gaganyatris and Their Role
- The two astronauts, referred to as “Gaganyatris” by ISRO, are integral to the India-U.S. joint mission to the ISS.
- The selection of these two individuals was made by a National Mission Assignment Board.
- Their participation in the mission must be approved by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel, which includes representatives from NASA, Roscosmos, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.
Mission Parameters and Collaborations
- ISRO has entered into an agreement with Axiom Space, Inc. for the upcoming Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the ISS.
- Axiom Space, a private company based in Houston, specializes in human spaceflight services and plans to operate the world’s first commercial space station.
- The Ax-4 mission, set to be launched no earlier than November 2024, will see Mr. Shukla or Mr. Nair fly to the ISS alongside two other astronauts.
- The mission will be facilitated by SpaceX, which will provide the launch vehicle and the Crew Dragon capsule to house the crew during the mission, which is scheduled to last for 14 days.
Training and Objectives
- The primary objective of this joint mission is to provide the Gaganyatris with hands-on experience in conducting a spaceflight mission and to familiarize them with operations aboard the ISS.
- ISRO Chairman has emphasized that this experience will be invaluable for India’s Gaganyaan mission.
- During their time on the ISS, the Indian astronauts will conduct five different experiments, some of which are of Indian origin, while others are international collaborations.
- These experiments will contribute to the scientific and technological knowledge needed for future human spaceflight missions.
Status of the Gaganyaan Mission
- The Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space onboard an Indian launch vehicle, has seen significant progress.
- ISRO has completed key tests, including the pad abort, high-altitude abort, and crew escape system tests.
- The LVM-3 launch vehicle, which will be used for the mission, is nearing the completion of its human rating process.
- However, the crew module is still under development, with components being manufactured abroad.
- The next phase involves a series of uncrewed suborbital and orbital test flights, culminating in a planned manned mission in mid-2025, though this timeline is subject to change.
Strategic Significance of the India-U.S. Collaboration
- The joint India-U.S. mission to the ISS is a significant step in strengthening space cooperation between the two nations.
- It reflects a broader strategic partnership, as highlighted during Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S.
- The mission not only provides critical experience for Indian astronauts but also symbolizes India’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space exploration.
- The collaboration with NASA and other international partners underlines India’s commitment to advancing its space program and contributing to global space exploration efforts.