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New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) SpaceX had probably taken "lightly" the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 rocket that launched the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, putting at risk the lives for four astronauts, including Shubhanshu Shukla, ISRO chairman V Narayanan said here on Thursday. Narayanan said it was at the insistence of ISRO engineers that SpaceX examined the leak detected in the oxidiser lines that carry liquid oxygen to the rocket engines and discovered a crack that could have proved fatal. "If with the crack the rocket lifts off, with the vibrations, it will give way the moment it lifts off. Once it gives way, it is a catastrophic situation, nothing else," Narayanan said here. He was addressing a press conference along with Axiom-4 astronaut Shukla and his backup for the mission Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair and Union Minister Jitendra Singh. "To their (SpaceX's) surprise also, it was a crack. Finally, everything had to be corrected. Probably, they took it a little lightly," the ISRO chief said. Naryanan said the ISRO team, which has worked on liquid oxygen powered engines for over 40 years, insisted on a complete correction, which was carried out by the SpaceX team. "But for the complete correction, it would have ended in a catastrophic situation. We have saved the lives of four astronauts," the ISRO chief said. Shukla said at every stage the four astronauts who were part of the Axiom-4 mission were briefed about the delay and the reasons for it. Narayanan credited the Indian education system and ISRO training that led to stopping a faulty rocket from taking off and ensuring the safety of the astronauts. He said before the rocket was moved for the June 11 lift-off, an eight-second test was carried out to understand the performance of the engines before giving clearance for the launch. "They completed the tests and when we discussed, they did not open up the results, and only said that the Committees have cleared and we are going ahead with the launch programme," Naryanan said. "Probably, they thought it was a minor leakage. That is what was the understanding. It was an oxygen sensor that had picked up. Based on ISRO team's insistence, a complete correction was done by the SpaceX team," he said. Shukla said the SpaceX team, the NASA team, the Axiom team and the ISRO team were very transparent to the crew and there was never any time that they did not know what was wrong and what was happening. "Everybody was always aware of what was happening. Nobody was going to send the rocket out if there was a problem," Shukla said. "I am ready to put my life in Dr. Narayanan's hand and whenever he makes a rocket and a vehicle, I am ready to go in that. That is the kind of trust I have on him," said Shukla. The crack and other issues were fixed, but on June 12 NASA announced it was working with Russian space agency Roscosmos to evaluate a leak in the Zvezda module, the Russian-built service module of the ISS that houses key life-support and docking systems. The Axiom-4 mission lifted-off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 25 and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on July 15. PTI SKU RHL
Chennai, June 8 (UNI) Setting the timeline for landing of four crew members on board the Axiom Mission 4 at the International Space Station (ISS), NASA said the crew would dock after a flight journey of 28 hrs. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX mission will take off at 8:22 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, June 10, as part of the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS Axiom Mission 4. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew, including those from India, US, Poland and Hungary, will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon space ...Read More >
New Delhi: Resignation is the only option before Justice Yashwant Varma to avoid impeachment by Parliament as the government pushes for bringing a motion to remove the Allahabad High Court judge over alleged corruption. Officials aware of the procedure to appoint and remove Supreme Court and high court judges pointed out that while defending his case before lawmakers in any of the House, Justice Varma can announce that he is quitting and his verbal statement will be considered as his resignation. ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, Jun 26 : In a proud and historic moment for the nation, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today lauded the successful docking of the Dragon spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS), carrying aboard Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla along with three other crew members. Living up to the spirit of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Vishwabandhu Bharat" envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh said, all the experiments to be carried out by Shubhanshu Shukla have been indigenously developed w ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India's Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts entered the International Space Station (ISS) to warm hugs and handshakes on Thursday as the Dragon spacecraft docked to the orbital laboratory after a 28-hour journey around Earth. The new spacecraft -- fifth in the Dragon series, named Grace -- achieved a soft capture with the Harmony module of the space station at 4:01 pm IST over the North Atlantic Ocean and it took another two hours to establish communication, power links and pressure stabilisation. This is the first time an Indian astronaut has travelled to the ISS. "The ...Read More >
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) faced a potential hazard when an unusual odor was detected after opening the hatch of the Progress MS-29 cargo spacecraft. The crew quickly sealed off the affected area, initiated air-scrubbing systems, and wore personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure safety. NASA confirmed that air quality aboard the ISS returned to normal, and no risks remained for the crew. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the smell. The spacecraft will remain docked for six months, with the two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, ...Read More >
Kanpur, January 27: Due to the massive influx of devotees for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Varanasi's District Magistrate in Uttar Pradesh has announced that all schools in the district will be closed from Monday, January 27, 2025, to Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and managing traffic congestion caused by the large number of pilgrims arriving in Varanasi for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Despite the school closures, online classes will continue as usual to maintain the academic schedule, News18 reported. This directive applies to all CBSE, ICSE ...Read More >
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], January 28 (ANI): Ahead of the scheduled launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket on Wednesday, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan visited the Chengalamma Parameshwari Temple in Tirupati and offered special prayers. The countdown for the 100th rocket launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) will begin on Wednesday at 2:53 am ahead of the scheduled launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket at 6:23 AM. Also Read | Hyderabad Murder Case: Ex-Serviceman Gurumurthy Who Killed Wife, Chopped, Boiled and Burnt Body Pieces Arrested. ISRO has completed all preparations to launch the NVS-0 ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) India's Shubhanshu Shukla became the 634th astronaut to travel to space as he entered the International Space Station on Thursday after a 28-hour journey. Shukla and three other astronauts were formally welcomed on the space station by the members of Expedition 73 with warm hugs and handshakes. Axiom mission commander Peggy Whitson handed out astronaut pins to Shukla, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungarian Tibor Kapu, who marked their maiden voyage to space. "I am astronaut 634. It is a privilege to be here," Shukla said in brief remarks at the fo ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 26 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a meeting of political leaders to discuss the preparations for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among those who attended the meeting that took place at the Raj Bhawan here Also Read | 8th Pay Commission To Triple Medical Allowance and Raise Minimum Salary to INR 27,000? Check Details. "Today, held a meeting with political leaders at Srinagar Raj Bhawan to discuss preparations for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which begins from July 3. The meeting was attended by Hon'ble Chi ...Read More >
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 26 (ANI): The family members of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) pilot and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Thursday evening. Shukla's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, mother Asha Shukla, sister Shuchi Mishra, and brother met the Chief Minister, who felicitated them and presented them with a token of appreciation in honour of Shukla's selection for the space mission. Also Read | 8th Pay Commission To Triple Medical Allowance and Raise Minimum Salary to INR 27,000? Check Details. Speaking t ...Read More >
Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station (ISS) briefly sealed off a section of the station after noticing an unusual odor coming from the uncrewed Progress 90 spacecraft. NASA confirmed the odor was likely caused by "outgassing" from materials inside the spacecraft, a common occurrence when objects leave Earth's atmosphere. Despite initial concerns, there were no safety issues, and the crew continued their tasks. NASA's air scrubbing equipment cleared the air, ensuring normal conditions aboard the ISS. The Progress spacecraft had delivered nearly three tons of supplies, and the in ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are set to embark on the Axiom Space's fourth human spaceflight from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 and are likely to dock at the International Space Station on June 11 at about 10 PM IST, after a nearly 28-hour journey. Shukla, the mission pilot of the Axiom-4 (Ax4) commercial mission to the ISS, will be accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson and specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. Also Read | JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi's 'Match-Fixing' Claims A ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Engineering solutions provider DEE Development Engineers Ltd is planning to diversify into hydrogen production as it expects good business opportunities in the sector. DEE Development Engineers Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Krishan Lalit Bansal said, "We have very recently put our foot in the production of some small gas/chemical plants. We have acquired a 70 per cent stake in a company called Maldives Design Ltd, which is specialised in the manufacturing of nitrogen and oxygen plants, hydrogen purification plants, and ammonia crackers." Also Read | Bodoland Lot ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
AP EAMCET Result 2025: APSCHE has declared the results for AP EAPCET today, June 8, 2025. AP EAMCET Result 2025: The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has declared the results for Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (AP EAPCET) 2025 today, June 8, 2025. Candidates who appeared for the examination can login and check their results on the official website, cets.apsche.ap.gov.in. AP EAMCET is now called as AP EAPCET. AP EAMCET Result 2025: How To Download Your Result? Visit the official website, cets.apsche.ap.gov.in.Click on "AP E ...Read More >
Baripada, Jun 26 (PTI) Police have arrested another accused in connection to the alleged gang rape of 19-year-old woman in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, an officer said on Thursday. The incident happened under the jurisdiction of the Karanjia police station of the district on June 24 when the victim was returning to her maternal uncle's home after visiting a nearby Hanuman temple, said Nabakrushna Nayak, the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Karanjia. Also Read | Election Commission Initiates Process To Delist 345 Dormant Political Parties Across Country in 1st Phase of Cleanup Drive. ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani goods valued at approximately Rs 9 crore at the Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai, officials said. In an operation codenamed "Operation Deep Manifest", the illegal import of Pakistani-origin goods routed through third countries, primarily via Dubai, UAE, has been busted, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement Thursday. Also Read | 'Dreamer and Disciplined': School Teachers Recall Fond Memories of Shubhanshu Shukla As Astronaut Becomes First Indian ...Read More >
Saharsa, Jun 26 (PTI) A portion of a culvert collapsed in Bihar's Saharsa district, officials said on Thursday. There was no report of any casualty in the incident, they said. Also Read | 'Dreamer and Disciplined': School Teachers Recall Fond Memories of Shubhanshu Shukla As Astronaut Becomes First Indian To Enter International Space Station (Watch Videos). Talking to PTI, Saharsa DM Deepesh Kumar said, "The incident took place on Wednesday evening when a portion of a culvert collapsed in Patarghat block. According to locals, a pillar of the culvert, which is very old, caved in when an over ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 7 (PTI) Authorities on Saturday barred Eid prayers from taking place at the Eidgah ground and the Jama Masjid in the old city here, while Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claimed that he was put under house arrest. "Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar deeply regrets to inform that the authorities have once again disallowed Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Eidgah as well as at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar by closing the gates of the mosque and deploying police personnel outside," the management of the historic mosque said in a statement. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are set to embark on the Axiom Space's fourth human spaceflight from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 and are likely to dock at the International Space Station on June 11 at about 10 PM IST, after a nearly 28-hour journey. Shukla, the mission pilot of the Axiom-4 (Ax4) commercial mission to the ISS, will be accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson and specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. The Axiom-4 mission will mark India's return to space 41 years af ...Read More >
New Delhi: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday said he was learning to live in microgravity conditions "like a baby" and it was an amazing experience to float in vacuum as the Dragon spacecraft circled the Earth in its journey to dock at the International Space Station. Sharing his experience via a videolink from the spacecraft, Shukla said after remaining in quarantine for 30 days, where he was far away from all the excitement, ahead of the launch of the Axiom-4 mission on Wednesday, "the only thought in my mind was to let us just go". ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Axiom-4 mission piloted by Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the other crew, docked at the International Space Station at around 4:01 pm on Thursday. Upon successful docking and opening of the hatch, Shubhanshu was seen greeting the crew members with hugs and handshakes. As the crew entered the space station after opening the hatches of the spacecraft successfully, they greeted themselves by hugging and handshaking after eagerly waiting for their safe arrival from Earth onboard the Dragon spacecraft. On June 25, the Axiom-4 crew successfully lifted o ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rescheduled its European Space Agency (ESA) Proba-3 Sun observation mission to Thursday. The launch was postponed due to an undisclosed anomaly that occurred after the "countdown progressed smoothly". "Due to an anomaly detected in PROBA-3 spacecraft PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 launch rescheduled to tomorrow," ISRO posted on social media platform X. ISRO's PSLV-XL rocket was earlier expected to launch the ESA Proba-3 mission on Wednesday. The mission will now take flight on Thursday at 4:12 pm from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at Satish ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 12 (PTI) ISRO on Thursday said it has achieved a major milestone after its C20 cryogenic engine passed a critical test in ambient condition, featuring restart enabling systems. According to ISRO, this success was a vital step for future missions. "ISRO has successfully carried out the sea level hot test of its CE20 Cryogenic Engine featuring a nozzle area ratio of 100 at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu on November 29," the Indian space agency said in a statement. The indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre is poweri ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 31 (ANI): Parents of Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla were elated after their son was selected as the pilot for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Axiom-4 mission, scheduled this year. The parents credited Shubhanshu's hard work and dedication for his success and also acknowledged the contribution his wife behind his success. Expressing her immense happiness in an interaction with ANI, Shukla's mother Asha Shukla said she can't express her emotions in words. "We cannot express our feelings in words," she said. "Our joy is unlimited; we cannot p ...Read More >
Nagpur, May 23 (PTI) India's indigenously developed 'Akashteer' air defence system performed "exceedingly well" during 'Operation Sindoor', said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Samir V Kamat, who expressed confidence that its success will draw international interest. India had deployed the indigenously developed and fully automated 'Akashteer' air defence control and reporting system, which emerged as the invisible force of new war capabilities during Operation Sindoor, launched against nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Definitely, our a ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Axiom-4 crew members, who successfully floated into International Space Station on Thursday, were joined by a fifth member on their mission. It wasn't a human or a pet, but a toy. A toy swan called Joy.But it's not just a toy. It has its roots in traditions of the scientific world. The practice of taking a toy into space to signal the onset of weightlessness started with Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space, and has since evolved into a longstanding tradition in space missions.Joy is a zero gravity indicator aboard the Axiom-4 mission. It was chosen by the astronauts as a tri ...Read More >
Chennai, June 26 (UNI) Creating history, the Four astronauts have started their research mission after entering the International Space Station (ISS) today. In an update NASA said at 8:14 a.m. EDT (around 6.00 pm IST) on Thursday, the hatch opened between the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station following the arrival of Axiom Mission 4. The spacecraft docked at 6:31 a.m. EDT (1600 hrs IST) to the space-facing port of the space station's Harmony module. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA ...Read More >
Lucknow: The family of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) pilot and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Thursday evening. Shukla's parents, father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, mother Asha Shukla, and sister Shuchi Mishra, will meet the Chief Minister in celebration of his selection as the mission pilot for Axiom Mission 4. Shukla is the first Indian to journey to the International Space Station (ISS) since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Earlier in the day, the family, along with friends and relatives, gathered at Shukla's form ...Read More >