Due to the vigilance of scientists at India's space agency, ISRO, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with 10 other astronauts, avoided a major mishap with the Falcon 9 Rocket scheduled to take them to the International Space Station. On June 10, ISRO identified significant faults, issuing a warning about the Falcon 9's safety. This crucial caution led to the mission's postponement, initially set for launch on June 11, but it was called off the evening of June 10 when ISRO detected leaks and cracks in the rocket's booster.
This was disclosed by ISRO's Chief, V. Narayanan. Speaking at Presidency University recently, he recounted the tense moments when the Falcon 9 launch was halted. 'Leading the team, after thorough deliberation, I decided against the rocket's takeoff. On the evening of June 10, we informed SpaceX to cancel the launch. My team was not convinced of the rocket's safety and chose not to participate.' The following day confirmed their decision, as SpaceX engineers also verified leaks and cracks in the Falcon 9's booster.
Read More: On July 14, the Dragon Capsule will separate from the Space Station, marking Shubhanshu Shukla's return to Earth.
Though initially met with skepticism, ISRO Chief V. Narayanan defended the cautious approach as a lifesaving decision for the astronauts and the mission. Thanks to ISRO's alertness, Shubhanshu Shukla safely reached the International Space Station on June 26, symbolizing India's burgeoning stature in global space exploration. The mission, known as Axiom-4 (X-4), represents a collaborative endeavor among NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and ISRO.
Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian to enter space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The mission faced multiple postponements due to technical issues, including leaks and cracks in the Falcon 9 rocket's booster and challenges on the ISS. Lauding the teamwork that averted potential disaster, ISRO Chief V. Narayanan remarked in his address at Presidency University, 'Today, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the entire mission are safe. India stands second to none.'
Read More: Why might there be a 3-4 day delay in Shubhanshu Shukla's return to Earth? Understand the complete process here.
Shubhanshu Shukla's mission involves scientific experiments related to space nutrition and biology, gathering valuable data for India's Gaganyaan program. The successful launch of the Falcon Rocket and the Axiom-4 mission marks a significant milestone in India's path to becoming a major player in human space exploration. All eyes are now on July 14, anticipating the safe return of Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts from the International Space Station.
