Four astronauts, a Hungarian, an Indian, a Pole and an American, took off on Wednesday from Cap Canaveral to reach the International Space Station (ISS), the first time that an Indian will enter it.
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The Falcon 9 launcher of the American company Space X took off the four astronauts installed in the Crew Dragon capsule at 6 h 31 GMT, as part of the American private mission Axiom 4.
The crew is expected to be moving at the ISS on Thursday at around 11 a.m. GMT and staying there up to 14 days.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot this mission alongside the Polish Slawosz Uznanski-Wisnishwski, Hungarian Tibor Kapu and American Peggy Whitson, an ex-NASA astronaut now working for Axiom Space, American company offering, among other private space flights.
During this stay, they will carry out around sixty experiences, especially on microalgae and late, microscopic animals.
The last space flights waged by India, Poland or Hungary are over 40 years of age.
The predecessors of today’s astronauts were then called “cosmonauts” because they flew aboard the Soviet vessels. It was before the collapse of the eastern block.
Soft power
“I take instruments and equipment with me not only, but also hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” said Indian Shubhanshu Shukla at a press conference.
Aged 39, the pilot must enter the history of his country most populous on the planet, becoming the first Indian to join the ISS and the second to go into orbit after Rakesh Sharma, who had joined the Soviet space station in 1984.
His participation in Axiom’s mission must constitute a key step for the first inhabited flight that India plans to lead in 2027.
Once in the ISS, Mr. Shukla should speak with an “important personality”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the media in this country.
“A moment of pride for India!” Reacted Jitéra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, welcoming Captain Shukla and affirming India is “a nation on the front line in space exploration”.
The three nations themselves finance the sending of their astronaut. Hungary announced in 2022 that it paid for its ticket $ 100 million while India and Poland did not reveal the amount spent for this moment of national pride and soft power.
According to Indian media, New Delhi has spent more than $ 60 million (52 million euros).
This mission occurs after the spectacular dispute that occurred in early June between Donald Trump and 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 authorized to transport astronauts to the ISS.
The conflict between the two men has highlighted the interdependence of the American government and 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.
