NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 2:31 am EDT, Wednesday (Noon IST), June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom 4. Pic/ PTI
Along with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, joining the mission are Slawosz Uznanski of Poland, a European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary
Uznanski will be Poland's second astronaut since 1978, while Kapu will be Hungary's second since 1980. Veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson will command the mission, adding to her record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by any American
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to pilot the Axiom 4 mission, has said that India is returning to space after 41 years. He stated that India's flag will fly in space again
According to the ISS, additional time is needed to evaluate station operations following recent repair work in the aft segment of the Zvezda service module. Due to the highly interconnected nature of the orbital laboratory's systems, NASA is reviewing relevant data to ensure readiness for the arrival of additional crew members
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