Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Soar on Historic Axiom-4 Mission to ISS

DIGITAL NEWS DESK – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is poised to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for launch on June 10, 2025, at 8:22 AM EDT (5:52 PM IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

The mission, a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA), marks a significant milestone for India’s space program, positioning Shukla as the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

Also Read- Tragic Honeymoon in Meghalaya: Indore Man Found Dead, Wife Still Missing

Shukla, 39, will serve as the pilot of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched via a Falcon 9 rocket, alongside mission commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The diverse crew, representing India, Poland, and Hungary, underscores the mission’s international scope, the first government-sponsored ISS mission for these nations in over four decades.

During their 14-day stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will conduct approximately 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by Indian institutions. Shukla’s contributions will focus on microgravity research, such as plant growth experiments with methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram), skeletal muscle dysfunction studies, and investigations into cognitive and physiological responses in space. These experiments aim to advance India’s capabilities for long-duration spaceflight, a critical step toward the Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and an Indian space station by 2035.

Also Read- Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Visits Flood-Hit Serchhip, Assures Support for Affected Communities

“This is not just my journey, but the journey of 1.4 billion Indians,” Shukla said at a recent press conference, where the crew introduced their mascot, a toy swan named “Joy.” Shukla plans to showcase Indian culture by performing yoga in space and documenting his experience to inspire future generations. The mission, costing ISRO 5 billion rupees ($59 million), strengthens India’s global space presence and fosters international collaboration.

A seasoned combat pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience on aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and MiG-21, Shukla was selected by ISRO in 2019 for Gaganyaan training. His preparation included stints at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru, and joint exercises with NASA, SpaceX, ESA, and Japan’s JAXA. Promoted to Group Captain in March 2024, Shukla embodies India’s growing expertise in human spaceflight.

The Ax-4 launch, initially set for May 29, was rescheduled to June 10 due to operational adjustments. The crew entered quarantine on May 25, ensuring readiness for the mission. The launch will be broadcast live on NASA’s platforms starting at 6:15 AM EDT on June 10.