Who Is Shukla and Why Is He in Quarantine Before Space Travel?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an upcoming Mission Ax-4, has begun quarantine. He is one of the members of the Ax-4 Mission crew which will launch on June 8, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre onboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Shubanshu will launch with international crew members and this flight is significant for India’s space journey and the commercial space industry.
Why are Astronauts Quarantined?
Astronaut quarantine is important for the preparation for space missions. Astronaut quarantine ensures that the crew is healthy and has no disease that could spread in space. When on the ISS, there is limited space and a closed environment, therefore a regular illness could have greater implications. Further, an astronaut’s body is often in a diminished state of reactivity in space thus illnesses like a cold, cough, etc. can pose risks to the space mission as well as to the crew.
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What Goes on During the Quarantine?
The quarantine period usually lasts about two weeks leading up to launch. During its duration, Shukla and his three fellow crew members will remain in a controlled facility near the launch site, while adhering to many strict regulations:
- High hygiene practices including hand washing and air filtration
- Daily health and physical examinations
- Isolation from mostly supernumerary team members.
- Final mission preparations and training will all be conducted while in isolation.
- Before the isolation process, Axiom Space held a send-off ceremony to honor the astronauts and show appreciation for the team mobilized behind this mission.
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