India's Shubhanshu Shukla Begins Final Isolation Ahead Of Historic ISS Mission; Why Do Astronauts Need Quarantine?

New Delhi: As Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to make history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), he has now entered the final phase of pre-launch quarantine. Slated for launch on June 8 aboard the SpaceX Dragon as part of Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), Shukla will serve as the mission's pilot, marking a landmark moment in Indian spaceflight.

Joining him are mission commander Peggy Whitson, a seasoned NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight, and two first-time astronauts, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The mission, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, will last approximately two weeks aboard the ISS.

Why Is Quarantine Critical for Astronauts?

The pre-launch quarantine, which typically spans 14 days, plays a vital role in safeguarding astronauts’ health and the success of the mission. Infections brought into space can be catastrophic, given the confined environment of the ISS and the weakened immunity astronauts experience in microgravity.

Astronauts are isolated with a small support team in a controlled facility near the launch site. Daily health screenings, rigorous sanitation, and restricted physical contact are all part of the protocol.

If any symptoms arise, affected crew members are subjected to further isolation and monitoring. Despite the strict setting, the period also includes final training, mission briefings, and simulation exercises.

India’s Return to Human Spaceflight After 40 Years

Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 is India’s first human space presence since Rakesh Sharma’s Soviet-backed mission in 1984. His training spanned facilities in the United States and Europe, preparing him for everything from zero-gravity experiments to complex onboard systems.

Speaking during a farewell ceremony hosted by Axiom Space, Shukla said, “I am confident this mission will be a success." The Ax-4 crew will carry out scientific research, technological demonstrations, and outreach activities during their 14-day stay aboard the ISS.