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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has said that it will broadcast the undocking and departure of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) from the International Space Station (ISS) live on Monday, July 14. The first Indian pilot to travel to the ISS is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will be returning to Earth with three other astronauts. According to NASA's release issued on Friday (local time), the live streaming will commence with the hatch closure procedures at 4:30 am EDT (2:00 PM IST). Boarding of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft by the crew members will be at 4:55 am EDT (2:25 PM IST), and last closure of the hatch will take place shortly after.

Undocking coverage begins at 6:45 am EDT (4:15 PM IST) today on Axiom Space and SpaceX channels, with actual undocking at 7:05 am EDT (4:30 PM IST). NASA's broadcast on NASA+ will continue for approximately 30 minutes post-undocking, whereas Axiom Space and SpaceX will be offering real-time coverage of the re-entry and splashdown off the coast of California on axiom.space/live and SpaceX's official website.

Mission Highlights: More than 60 Experiments and Vital Cargo

Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 25, the Dragon docked into the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, docking with the Harmony module. As part of their 17-day stay, the crew conducted over 60 experiments with an emphasis on microgravity studies, human health, and preparation for future deep-space exploration.

Ax-4 crew members are:
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, pilot of the mission and the first Indian to travel to the ISS.
• Senior NASA astronaut Commander Peggy Whitson.
• European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland.
• Tibor Kapu, the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) programme representative.

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On day 17 of flight, Group Captain Shukla coordinated work on centrifugation and freezing of microalgae samples, investigating how algae might sustain life in prolonged-duration spaceflights. The crew also developed studies such as Voyager Displays (microgravity eye movement), Voice in Space (zero-gravity changes in the human voice), and the Acquired Equivalence Test (cognitive adaptation during space). Moreover, they gathered samples for health research studies on the human gut microbiome, immune response, muscle stimulation, and microbiome profiling.

SpaceX's Dragon capsule will fly back to Earth with more than 580 pounds of payload, including NASA hardware and crucial scientific data that will inform future missions to the Moon and Mars.

ALSO READ: International Space Station Hovering Over Indian Skies; Know How To Watch ISS, Timings And Other Details Here

How to Watch Axiom Mission 4 Departure Live

Here's How You Can Watch:
• NASA+ (Hatch closure through undocking)
• Axiom Space & SpaceX websites (Undocking to splashdown)

The live stream will enable space enthusiasts worldwide to watch India's Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew members end their history-making journey.

 

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