1. Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns in History:
On 15 th July, 2019, at 3:00 PM, in California, USA, Indian astronaut (Shubhanshu Shukla) and three other astronauts returned to the planet safely after staying in space, 20 days. On 25 th June, (approximately on 12.00 PM IST), Shubanshu Shukla left to join the International Space Station (ICS) under the Axiom 4 mission. The team landed on the Pacific Ocean close to the coast of California after spending 18 days in the ISS through the Dragon spacecraft launched by SpaceX. This was a historic occasion in the Indian space exploration or India.
2. The description of the Return Way and Landing Process:
Grace spacecraft detached itself with the ISS on 14 th July 4:45 PM IST and started to descend towards the earth. The landing process took place through four vital steps:
- De-orbit burn: The satellite or spacecraft burnt its engines in order to get out of orbit.
- Atmospheric re-entry: In the case that it re-entered the atmosphere it did so at a rate of 27,000 kilometers per hour with temperatures reaching a maximum of 1600 degrees C being shielded by a heat shield.
- Parachute deployment: Parachutes were deployed in order to slow down the space craft.
- Splashdown: Landed successfully at 3.00 PM on 15 th July in the pacific Ocean.
This painstaking procedure guaranteed safety of the crew upon the end of a long mission.
3. The Axiom Four Mission Crew and What Their Backgrounds are
It had four astronauts in the mission:
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India): The pilot, second Indian astronaut, after Rakesh Sharma to visit space in 1984.
- Peggy Whitson (USA): The mission commander of her second commercial flight in space.
- Sławomir Uznański (Poland): Mission specialists, he is the second Polish Anita at space since 1978.
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary): Mission-specialists, Second Hungarian astronauts since 1980.
Astronauts were all quite different in their areas of expertise, and they conducted a multinational cooperation.
4. Scientific Experiments that were done during the Mission:
Other than playing an active role in more than 60 scientific experiments carried out in the mission, Shubhanshu Shukla was involved in the following:
- Development of Mung bean and fenugreek seedlings in microgravity.
- Experimental growing of microalgae.
- Research in bone health at space conditions.
These experiments entailed a number of experiments formulated by Indian scientists, which were useful in providing data especially in space biology and health.
5. Post landing health Protocol and quarantine:
In the first hours after landing Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew were brought to stringent medical tests. The individuals were put in quarantine about 10 days to recover the impact of microgravity to whereby their body can re-adapt in the gravity form of the earth. At this time, their physiological adaptation to the state and health was tracked closely so that the recovery process would be healthy.
6. Mission Importance to India and Prospects of Future:
It is a landmark to bring India into space as an independent country and a milestone to new space missions as well to give India experience and strength through this mission, which is the proposed Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and India will become a human spaceflight launching company. The mission to India took INR 548 crore and INR around 10 specially tailored experiments. It became a privately owned commercial spaceflight that was held on the partnership of American space company Axiom, and NASA; ISRO and SpaceX.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pleased on social media and congratulated Shubhanshu Shukla and stated that the mission inspired millions and that it was a ramp to future human spaceflight aspirations in India.
7. Closing Remarks:
India successfully reaches a great step to the space when Shubhanshu Shukla can people about the successful accomplishment of the Axiom Four mission and his safe arrival. The experience that is acquired will be used directly in Gaganyaan mission and subsequent ventures. The report ended with appreciation and commitment to inform the audience about the next progress.
