“What a fantastic journey!”: The Crew Dragon capsule carrying 4 astronauts to the ISS rims to the space station

The Crew Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts, including the first Indian, the first Pole and the first Hungarian to stay in the ISS, landed Thursday at 10:45 am at the international space station.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launcher took off on Wednesday morning. Therefore, The Dragon capsule established contact with the station at 10:31 a.m.. For example, according to images broadcast live by the private company Axiom, organizer of the Axiom-4 mission, marking a key step in the spatial ambitions of India.

“Grace is pleased to be on Harmony. Therefore, ” said American astronaut Peggy Whitson, commander of this mission and former NASA, now working for Axiom Space, American company offering, among other things, private space flights.

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Getty Images via AFP

Grace is the nickname of the capsule, Harmony that of the module of the station to which they have stuck. Moreover, “We are honored to be here, thank you,” she added.

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AFP

Indian astronaut shubhanshu shukla pilots this mission alongside the Polish Slawosz Uznanski-Wisnishwski, Hungarian Tibor Kapu and Mrs. Consequently, Whitson, who commands her.

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AFP

Once the procedures are completed, the crew will return to the station and start its mission which provides around sixty experiences, especially on microalgae and late, microscopic animals.

The last space flights in which India. Poland or Hungary have dated over 40 years old, with Soviet vessels at the time.

They must find on board the 7 astronauts, the Americans and the Russians, commanded by the Japanese Takuya Onishi.

“Fantastic trip”

The Indian Asian giant has large space ambitions and wants to make its first inhabited flight in 2027.

Mr. Shukla is the first Indian to reach space from Rakesh Sharma. who went to the Saliout 7 station in 1984 as part of an indo-Soviet mission.

“what fantastic journey!”: crew dragon

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AFP

The Indian space agency, ISRO, considers this flight as a key step towards its first independent inhabited mission, scheduled for 2027 as part of the Gaganyaan program (“celestial vessel”).

“Congratulations Axiom-4!” Mooring made. Shubhanshu is held at the entrance to the international space station … waiting to enter it for a 14 -day stay … while the world is watching with enthusiasm and waiting, “reacted on X Jitra Singh, the Indian Minister of Sciences.

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“what fantastic journey!”: crew dragon AFP

“What a fantastic journey,” said Shukla in Hindi after the launch. “It is not only the start of my trip to the international space station – it is the start. of the inhabited space program of India.”

The Axiom-4, or AX-4 mission, should have taken off in early June, but was delayed due to technical problems.

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AFP

Each country has financed the journey of its astronaut. Poland spent 65 million euros, according to the Polish space agency. Hungary announced an agreement of $ 100 million with Axiom in 2022. according to the specialized media Spacenews, while India “what fantastic journey!”: crew dragon has not officially commented.

This mission occurs after the spectacular dispute that occurred in early June between Donald Trump. Elon Musk, during which the wealthy entrepreneur threatened to put his Crew Dragon capsule out of service before Retropedaler.

Used by Axiom. Crew Dragon also plays a crucial role in the American space agency (NASA), because it is, to date, the only American vessel empowered to transport astronauts to the ISS.

The conflict between the two men has highlighted the interdependence of the American government. this private space company, NASA and the Pentagon that has largely recourse to SpaceX rockets and vessels to send crews, cargoes and satellites in space.