Axiom-4 Mission: Why Shubhanshu Shukla’s Journey to the ISS Takes 28 Hours Despite Being Just 400 km Away
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Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is all set for liftoff as part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). While the space station orbits just 400 km above Earth, the journey aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule is expected to take nearly 29 hours. Here’s why getting to space isn’t as quick as the distance might suggest.
Not a Straight Shot to Space
Though the ISS is relatively close to Earth, travelling there involves far more than simply covering that distance. The Dragon spacecraft, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket , initially enters a lower orbit and must gradually work its way up to match the ISS’s altitude and speed.
Timing is Everything: Orbital Maneuvers Matter
The process isn’t about speed but precision. After launch, the spacecraft performs several controlled burns to adjust its path and slowly raise its orbit. These manoeuvres are carefully calculated to bring it in line with the ISS, which is orbiting at 28,000 km/h.
Phasing: The Art of Catching Up in Space
The ISS circles Earth every 90 minutes, meaning it’s constantly on the move. The Dragon capsule must “chase” the station in space by completing multiple orbits of its own. This process, called phasing, allows it to align its position and velocity with the ISS for a safe docking.
A Carefully Choreographed Approach
Shukla’s mission is scheduled to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 12:01 PM IST on June 25. The docking with the ISS’s Harmony module is planned for 4:30 PM IST the following day. Over these 28 hours, the spacecraft will perform a series of delicate adjustments - not to reach space faster, but to arrive safely.
Precision Over Speed
Despite the seemingly short distance, getting to the ISS is a slow and steady operation. It’s not about how fast you get there - it’s about arriving with the exact timing and positioning needed to meet a target moving at thousands of kilometres per hour. For Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew, that precision is what makes this space journey extraordinary.
Not a Straight Shot to Space
Though the ISS is relatively close to Earth, travelling there involves far more than simply covering that distance. The Dragon spacecraft, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket , initially enters a lower orbit and must gradually work its way up to match the ISS’s altitude and speed.
Timing is Everything: Orbital Maneuvers Matter
The process isn’t about speed but precision. After launch, the spacecraft performs several controlled burns to adjust its path and slowly raise its orbit. These manoeuvres are carefully calculated to bring it in line with the ISS, which is orbiting at 28,000 km/h.
Phasing: The Art of Catching Up in Space
The ISS circles Earth every 90 minutes, meaning it’s constantly on the move. The Dragon capsule must “chase” the station in space by completing multiple orbits of its own. This process, called phasing, allows it to align its position and velocity with the ISS for a safe docking.
A Carefully Choreographed Approach
Shukla’s mission is scheduled to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 12:01 PM IST on June 25. The docking with the ISS’s Harmony module is planned for 4:30 PM IST the following day. Over these 28 hours, the spacecraft will perform a series of delicate adjustments - not to reach space faster, but to arrive safely.
Precision Over Speed
Despite the seemingly short distance, getting to the ISS is a slow and steady operation. It’s not about how fast you get there - it’s about arriving with the exact timing and positioning needed to meet a target moving at thousands of kilometres per hour. For Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew, that precision is what makes this space journey extraordinary.
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