Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Conduct Experiments Aboard the International Space Station

As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarks on his landmark mission to the International Space Station (ISS), it is crucial to understand the orbiting station where he and his Axiom-4 crewmates will spend the next two weeks.

Orbiting approximately 408km above Earth, the ISS stands as a testament to international scientific collaboration, unparalleled engineering, and humankind's ambition to thrive beyond our planet.

Orbiting Home

The ISS races around Earth at an astounding 28,000kmph, completing a full orbit every 90 minutes, resulting in roughly 16 orbits each day. This means that Shukla and the crew will experience multiple sunrises and sunsets daily while floating in a delicate balance of speed and gravity.

Monumental Structure

Constructed over a decade through 42 separate missions, the ISS has evolved into an expansive space complex. It measures 73 meters in length and stretches 109 meters across with its solar arrays extended, larger than a football field.

Weighing approximately 420,000 kg, the ISS comprises over 15 pressurized modules contributed by five core partner agencies: NASA (US), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). The main truss, serving as the station's structural backbone, supports vital solar panels and radiators.

Powered by The Sun

Eight immense solar arrays generate up to 120 kilowatts of power, stored in rechargeable batteries to ensure continuous operation. These arrays power scientific instruments, essential life-support systems, and environmental controls.

Living in Orbit

The station typically houses a core crew of six, but can accommodate up to ten astronauts during short-term missions like Ax-4. Daily life on the ISS is carefully structured, including two hours of daily exercise to combat muscle and bone loss in the weightless environment.

The ISS offers private sleeping quarters, a galley, toilets, and exercise equipment. Communication delays are minimal at around 1-2 seconds, allowing near real-time conversations with mission control and family.

Research Powerhouse

The ISS is not just a living space; it serves as the premier research laboratory in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Experiments conducted on board cover a wide range of fields, including microgravity physics, life sciences, biotechnology, Earth observation, and space agriculture.

A key feature is the Cupola module, equipped with seven windows that provide astronauts with incredible panoramic views of Earth, used for photography, spacecraft docking oversight, and moments of quiet reflection.

Getting There & Back

Transportation to the ISS is facilitated by multiple spacecraft, including Soyuz (Russia), Crew Dragon (SpaceX), and soon, Boeing's Starliner. Cargo missions, essential for resupplying food, water, scientific equipment, and spare parts, are conducted by spacecraft such as Dragon, Cygnus, HTV, and soon, Dream Chaser.

What Comes Next?

The ISS is expected to remain operational until at least 2030, after which commercial space stations such as Axiom Station and Starlab will take over. A controlled deorbit, managed jointly by NASA and Roscosmos, is planned to ensure a safe conclusion to the orbiting laboratory's decades-long mission.

As Shukla undertakes his scientific duties in space, he joins a facility that highlights India's growing role in human spaceflight, while also standing as one of humanity's most significant international achievements. The ISS is more than just a station; it is a shared frontier where science, diplomacy, and exploration converge 400km above our planet.