'No-earlier-than launch opportunities': Nasa adjusts schedule for upcoming missions

Nasa, in collaboration with its international partners, is revising several forthcoming mission schedules to the International Space Station. This adjustment allows for streamlining mission plans, logistical operations, and spacecraft readiness for meticulous functioning and execution. Nasa announced that these schedule modifications will establish new targeted “no-earlier-than launch opportunities”, which will be determined with the confirmation of operational readiness.These schedule changes are made to ensure efficient workflow and rationalized use of resources and time. Nasa, through a post on X, announced that on Sunday, June 8, the Axiom mission will be launched piloted by India’s Shubhanshu Shukla. Along with this, SpaceX’s Crew 11 will be launched in late July, and in late August, SpaceX’s 33rd commercial resupply mission will be launched. Shukla will be traveling to space in a SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft alongside three other crew members from Poland, Hungary, and the US. Shukla is set to carry out seven experiments aimed at encouraging microgravity research. ISRO is aiming to sprout moong (lentils) and methi (fenugreek) under microgravity conditions with a mission to grow India-centric foods at the ISS. The Department of Space has spent around 413 crore on the Ax-4 mission, which will send Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS, making him the first Indian to reach the International Space Station.