Crucial hours; Axiom-4 to arrive at International Space Station at 4.30 pm today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The next few hours will be crucial for the crew, including Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which is hurtling towards the International Space Station after separating from the Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft will dock with the space station at 4:30 pm today. The scientific world, including India, is waiting with bated breath for this.

Although the mission commander is Peggy Whitson, the pilot Shubhanshu is controlling the spacecraft. The spacecraft, which orbits the Earth once in 90 minutes, will continue to orbit until it gets a chance to approach the space station. By the time the spacecraft approaches the Harmony dock at the space station, it will have circled the Earth 19 times.

The spacecraft moves by operating the Draco thrusters on the spacecraft. Controlling the spacecraft in space is not as easy as controlling an aeroplane. It will be operated according to a predetermined digital system and commands from the control centre on Earth. Most of the facilities are self-operated.

One hour to enter

1. Once the spacecraft approaches the Harmony Dock on the space station, the next step is to check the health of the passengers. The check will be done automatically using the system on the spacecraft.
2. Then the door of the dock will open and the four passengers will enter the space station. This will take an hour.
3. Once inside, they will be welcomed by those inside. Later, duties including research activities will be assigned.

Experience as strength

39-year-old Shubhanshu has more than 2000 hours of experience flying fighter jets. These include aircraft such as Sukhoi 30, MiG 21, MiG 29, Jaguar, Hawk, Donnier, and AN 32. Shubhanshu is one of the four passengers selected for the Gaganyaan mission, India's first mission to send passengers into space.