Stage Set for Return of Gaganyatri Shukla on July 15
Axiom Space Inc. on Sunday said that the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which carried four astronauts, including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla to space, will undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday at 4.30 pm (India time).
Nellore: Axiom Space Inc. on Sunday said that the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which carried four astronauts, including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla to space, will undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday at 4.30 pm (India time). It is expected to splash down near the coast of California, on Tuesday at 3 pm (India time), after a series of orbital manoeuvres.
After splashdown, Shubhanshu Shukla will undergo a rehabilitation programme lasting about seven days, under the supervision of flight surgeons, to help him readjust to Earth’s gravity.
As the return journey approaches, Shubhanshu Shukla is actively advancing a suite of seven microgravity experiments as part of India’s participation in the Axiom Mission 4. Of these, four experiments have been successfully completed, while three are nearing completion as of July 11.
The four completed experiments include — an Indian strain of Tardigrades, focusing on survival, revival, reproduction, and transcriptomic changes; Myogenesis, studying the impact of the space environment on human muscle cells; sprouting of methi and moong seeds, with relevance to crew nutrition, and a Cyanobacteria experiment, studying the growth of two varieties relevant to life support systems.
The completed microgravity experiment samples are being prepared for their return to Earth for further analysis.
The three experiments nearing completion are studies on microalgae, crop seed responses in microgravity, and the Voyoger Display experiment.
These Indian-led microgravity experiments represent a significant advancement in space science and technology, contributing valuable knowledge in support of Gaganyaan, the Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and future planetary missions.
