Who was selected to represent India on the Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS and will conduct food and nutrition experiments in space?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla – astronaut and science researcher.
Explanation:
☛ Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the prime mission specialist for the joint Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
☛ During this mission, he will conduct scientific research and technology demonstration experiments, including crucial studies in space food and nutrition, microgravity biology, and medicine.
☛ Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was designated as the backup astronaut for this collaborative Indo-US mission.
☛ This spaceflight mission is facilitated by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA and ISRO, marking a major milestone before India's indigenous human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Gaganyaan Mission: India's premier human spaceflight programme aimed at sending a crew of three members to a 400 km orbit for a 3-day mission and returning safely to Earth.
☛ Selected Astronauts: In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan: Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla.
☛ First Indian in Space: Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen in space in 1984 aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11.
☛ Vyommitra: A female-looking humanoid robot developed by ISRO to fly aboard uncrewed test missions of the Gaganyaan programme.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who was the first Indian citizen to travel into outer space? → Rakesh Sharma (1984)
☛ Which commercial space agency operates the Ax-4 mission to the ISS? → Axiom Space
☛ What is the name of the humanoid robot developed by ISRO for Gaganyaan test flights? → Vyommitra
☛ Where is the headquarters of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) located? → Bengaluru, Karnataka
☛ Which launch vehicle is designated to launch the crewed Gaganyaan mission? → LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)