Falcon 9 Returns to Earth 8 Minutes After Launching Shubhanshu Shukla Into Space
Just under eight minutes after lifting off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully returned to Earth, having launched four astronauts — including India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — into space aboard the Crew Dragon capsule.
Shukla, now the second Indian to travel to space, is part of Axiom Space’s fourth private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), known as AX-4. The crew is expected to reach the ISS after a 28-hour journey and dock while orbiting around 400 km above the Earth.
The launch had been delayed six times due to various issues, the latest being a software glitch that temporarily prevented the upload of crucial weather data. The problem was fixed just in time for liftoff, which took place shortly after 12:01 pm IST. The Falcon 9’s powerful Merlin engines ignited and lifted the rocket from Launch Complex 39A — the same site from where Apollo 11 took off in 1969.
What is Falcon 9?
Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage rocket developed by SpaceX. It holds the distinction of being the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket, significantly reducing the cost of access to space by recovering and reusing its most expensive components.
The rocket is powered by nine Merlin engines using rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen. The first stage of Falcon 9, designed for reusability, separates from the payload — in this case, the Crew Dragon capsule — at a predetermined altitude and speed, then returns to Earth. As of now, SpaceX has successfully landed these boosters 451 times.
The Mission Ahead
The Crew Dragon capsule will now continue its journey to the ISS. During the 14-day mission, Shukla and his crewmates from the US, Poland, and Hungary will carry out 60 scientific experiments, including seven from Indian researchers.
As the spacecraft reached orbit, Shukla’s historic words echoed through mission control:
“We are orbiting the Earth. This is the start of India’s human space program. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
