(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Axiom-4 Mission

(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Axiom-4 Mission

(AUGUST-2024)

Axiom-4 Mission

• ISRO has recently shortlisted two of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with NASA.

Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4)

• It is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). 

• Collaborators: NASA + Axiom Space

• It will be the fourth mission of Axiom Space after Ax-1 (2022), Ax-2 (2023) and Ax-3 (2024). Axiom is the first company to conduct privately-crewed missions to the ISS.

• This is a major shift in NASA’s approach to low-earth orbit research. 

Objective: 

• Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA aims to facilitate transition beyond ISS operations and to maintain US presence in low-earth orbit after the retirement of ISS.

• Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station.

• This mission will be instrumental in expanding commercial space activities and access to space for individuals and nations around the world. 

Axiom Space 

• It is an American privately funded space infrastructure developer company. 

• It provides human spaceflight services and develops human-rated space infrastructure.

• It operates end-to-end missions to the ISS while developing its successor, Axiom Station.

International Space Station (ISS)

• The International Space Station (ISS) is a research laboratory that orbits the Earth in Low Earth Orbit at an average altitude of 400 km.

Five space agencies have contributed to the station’s assembly:

• NASA (USA)

• Roscosmos (Russia)

• European Space Agency (ESA)

• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) ¾ Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

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Courtesy: Science Reporter