Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla created history by stepping on the International Space Station (ISS). He is not only the second astronaut of India, but also the first Indian to reach the space station. Three other astronauts and permanent team are present in this mission with him. Do you know who are 11 astronauts there? What do you work?
Astronauts on ISS
Shubhanshu Shukla has reached the space station as part of the Ax-4 (AX-4) mission. The mission is operated in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, European Space Agency (ESA) and private company Axiom Space. This mission consists of four astronauts. Along with them, a permanent team of seven members already present on the ISS (Expedition 73) is also working. Let’s understand all these profiles and their roles.
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1. Shubhanshu Shukla (India, Mission Pilot)
Birth: 10 October 1985, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
background: Shubhanshu is a group captain of the Indian Air Force and an experienced Test pilot. He completed his schooling from City Montessori School, Lucknow. In 2005, he earned a BSc degree in Computer Science from the National Defense Academy (NDA). In 2006, the Indian Air Force received a commission in fighter stream. He has experience over 3,000 hours in aircraft such as Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and AN-32.
Training: In 2019, ISRO chose him for the Gaganyaan Mission. He took hard training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonot Training Center of Russia and the training center of ISRO in Bangalore.
Role: Shubhanshu is a pilot of AX-4 mission. He monitors the class, speed and docking process of the spacecraft. He will conduct seven Indian experiments on ISS, including subjects such as germination of moong and fenugreek, study of microorganisms and the effects of microgravity on human muscles.
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Remarkable thing: Shubhanshu sent a message from space to Hindi that Namaste, my dear countrymen. It was a great journey. I am taking the tricolor on my shoulder, which tells me that I am not alone, but with all of you. This is not the beginning of my ISS trip, but the beginning of India’s human space program.
2. Pagi Whitson (United States, Mission Commander)
Birth: 9 February 1960, Iowa, United States
background: Paiggy Whitson is NASA’s former astronaut and Axiom Space’s Human Space Flight Director. She has been the commander of ISS twice. She has spent more than 675 days in space. His name is a record of 10 spacewalk.
Role: As the commander of the AX-4 mission, she leads the mission. Coordinates all activities. She oversees the docking and scientific experiments of the spacecraft “Grace”. His experienced eye is important for the success of the mission.
Remarkable thing: Pagi named the spacecraft “Grace” and said that this name is not just a name, but shows the beauty of our activities in space and the harmony of science and humanity.
3. Slavosh Ujnansky-Vinivsky (Poland, Mission Specialist)
Birth: 1984, Poland
background: Slavosha is the project astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA). He is the first astronaut from Poland to reach ISS. His technical expertise and scientific background is important for mission.
Role: As a mission specialist, he assists in scientific experiments. Especially in research related to Poland and other European countries. He helps in operating and data collection of equipment in microgravity.
Remarkable thing: Slavosha described the mission as a “symbol of global cooperation” and said that this is a proud moment for his country.
Also read: ‘Hello from Space … You also enjoy this journey’, Shubhanshu’s new video from space vehicle
4. Tibor Kapu (Hungary, Mission Specialist)
Birth: 1992, Hungary
background: Tibor is a astronauts selected under Hungarian Hunor program. He is the first astronaut of Hungary after the Soviet era who has gone to space. His technical and engineering background is important for mission.
Role: As a mission specialist, tibor contributes to scientific experiments and technical functions. He focuses on Hungary’s experiments, such as material science and biological research in microgravity.
Remarkable thing: Tibor said that this mission is a new chapter for my country. We are becoming a global partner in space research.
Permanent team of ISS (Expedition 73)
Apart from four astronauts of the AX-4 mission on ISS, a permanent team of seven members, known as Expedition 73, already exist. The team consists of astronauts from NASA, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) and Russia of Russia. These members live on ISS for a long time (usually six months). The operations and scientific research of the station manage.
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla and AX-4 mission will open the way for the next international space station
Members of Expedition 73
Nicole Aires (NASA, United States)
Nicole is NASA’s astronaut and technical experts. She specializes in microgravity research and maintenance of the station. She contributes to scientific experiments and maintenance of station equipment.
Anne McClen (NASA, United States)
Anne is an experienced astronaut who has spent time on ISS before. He is a military pilot and engineer. She manages the daily activities of the station and participates in complex tasks such as spacewalk.
Johnny Kim (NASA, United States)
Johnny is a naval seal, doctor and astronaut. Their versatile background is important for mission. He specializes in medical experiments and surveillance of astronauts.
Takuya Onashi (Jaxa, Japan)
Takuya is an experienced astronaut of Japan, who has already completed the mission on ISS. He contributes to Japanese experiments and operations.
Kiril Peskov (Roscosmos, Russia)
Kiril is Russian Cosmonott, which has a widespread experience of space flights. He contributes to Russian experiments and technical maintenance of the station.
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Sergei Riyjhikov (Roscosmos, Russia)
Sergei is an experienced cosmonot, who has been a part of several space missions before. He plays an important role in the operation of the station and management of the Russian module.
Alexi Zubrustsky (Roscosmos, Russia)
Alexi is an engineer and cosmonot, who provides technical expertise. He helps in operating the system and scientific experiments of the station.
What does a permanent team of ISS do?
ISS is an international scientific laboratory, which revolves around the Earth orbit, about 400 kilometers above the Earth. Following is the main function of permanent team (Expedition 73) …
Scientific experiment: Scientific experiments from various countries are made on ISS. These experiments are related to biology, physics, material science, medical and space technology. The permanent team operates these experiments, collects data. Sends the results to Earth.
Station maintenance: ISS is a complex machine, which includes oxygen generators, water recycling systems, solar panels and other equipment. The permanent team regularly maintains and repairs them. They perform the spacewalk (work out in space) to repair or change external devices.
Health Monitoring: The health of astronauts is affected in microbiology. Permanent team conducts regular medical examination. Studies the effects of space on the human body. This information is important for future long missions, such as the Moon or Mars journey.
International cooperation: ISS is a joint effort of organizations such as NASA, ISRO, ESA, Jaxa and Rosmsmos. The permanent team cooperates in the experiments and technical functions of various countries, which benefits the global scientific community.
Education and Inspiration: The permanent team often talks live with students and scientists on Earth. Shubhanshu Shukla will also interact with Indian students, so that enthusiasm towards space research can be encouraged.