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AXIOM 4 Mission
• Introduction
◦ Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is a planned private spaceflight to the International
Space Station (ISS) operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and
NASA.
• Payload of ISRO
◦ Voyager Displays: Study how microgravity affects computer interface design.
◦ Voyager Targridebases: Study microbial diversity and population on ISS
surfaces.
◦ Crop Seeds in ISS: Study crop germination and growth to support space
farming.
◦ Stemonstrators: Promote STEM learning for students.
◦ Sprouts: Study plant growth in space to inform future space farming.
◦ Space Microalgae: Study microalgae’s role in oxygen and food supply in space.
• Objectives of Mission
1. Space Commercialisation: Promote commercial activities in Low Earth Orbit.
Eg space tourism, private manufacturing.
2. Space Station Business Platforms: Demonstrate the viability of commercial
space stations as operational hubs for scientific research and commercial
enterprises.
3. Global Space Partnerships – Strengthen international cooperation in space
exploration.Eg ISRO and NASA partnership.
4. Research Resurgence – Conduct scientific experiments in materials science,
and life sciences. Eg Microgravity experiments.
5. Remote Sensing : Space-based Earth Monitoring Earth for environmental
studies, climate monitoring. Eg Cyclone Monitoring.
• Significance of Mission for India
◦ Space Superpower : highlights India's growing presence in space exploration.
◦ Gaganyaan Boost : enhancing India's capabilities in human spaceflight
programme.
◦ Technological Triumph : AX-4 crew will conduct experiments, technology
demonstrations.
◦ Space Station Development: Ax-4 facilitate Indian astronauts' participation in
activities aboard the ISS,
• Challenges for India
1. Policy Myopia: lack of private sector participation. Eg Delays in licensing
processes
2. Innovation Inertia : stagnant R&D in space programme. Eg No Space unicorn
in India
3. Investment Crunch : meagre funding to space programmer. Eg ISRO
Budget($1.6 billion) , NASA($25 billion) [Draw Graph]
4. Infrastructure Deficit: sluggish progress in heavy-lift launch vehicles Eg GSLV
mK III v FALCON Heavy
5. Import Dependency : Export control regulations by US hinder India’s access to
advanced technology Eg Cryogenic technology.
6. Global Competition : Global space companies,, have outpaced India’s space
capabilities Eg SPACEX.
7. Safety Infringement : Frequent cyber attacks hinder project development. Eg
ISRO faces 100 attacks/day.
• Challenges in Mission
1. Launch Vehicle Reliability – Ensuring rocket components perform flawlessly;
failure can lead to total mission loss.
2. Cost Overruns – High cost of development, launch, and maintenance often
exceed initial budgets.
3. Weather Constraints – Adverse weather like high winds, lightning, or cloud
cover can delay or abort launches.
4. Payload Integration – Precise alignment and compatibility of satellite or
scientific instruments with the launch vehicle.
5. Orbital Accuracy – Achieving the exact orbit needed for mission success
requires precise calculations and timing.
6. Communication Delays – Real-time coordination with ground stations is
critical; signal delays can impact decisions.
7. Space Debris Risk – Avoiding collision with existing debris during launch and
early orbital insertion.
