1.Axiom-4 Mission to ISS:

In news:

● India has shortlisted two astronaut-designates for the Axiom-4 mission to
the ISS.
● The shortlisted astronauts are Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair.
● They will travel to the U.S. for training for the upcoming mission.

About the Mission:

● Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the ISS.
● Operated by Axiom Space using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
● Collaborates with NASA.
● It is Axiom Space’s fourth mission, following Ax-1, Ax-2, and Ax-3.
● Aims to advance sustainable human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
● Axiom-4 is expected to be a short-duration mission, lasting approximately 14
days.

About ISS:

● International Collaboration: The ISS is a joint project involving space agencies
from the United States (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Europe (ESA), Japan
(JAXA), and Canada (CSA).

● Orbital Position: It orbits Earth at an average altitude of approximately 400 km
(250 miles).
● Purpose: The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research
laboratory where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy,
meteorology, physics, and other fields.
● Construction and Structure: The ISS was assembled in space through
numerous missions starting in 1998. It consists of interconnected modules,
including laboratories, living quarters, and solar arrays.
● International Partnerships: The ISS represents one of the most significant
examples of international cooperation in space exploration, with contributions
from multiple countries in terms of technology, research, and human resources.
● Mission Duration and Operations: The ISS has been continuously occupied
since November 2000 and is expected to be operational until at least 2030.
● Scientific Contributions: The ISS facilitates unique research opportunities that
are not possible on Earth, advancing our understanding of space and its effects
on the human body, as well as contributing to technological innovations.
● Future Prospects: Plans are in place to eventually transition from the ISS to
new space habitats and commercial space stations, continuing the legacy of
space research and international collaboration.