IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla Gears Up for Historic Axiom-4 Space Mission: Launch on June 10

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is all set to make history as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), becoming the first Indian to participate in an international commercial human spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission, involving a diverse international crew, marks a proud milestone for India and contributes significantly to global space exploration efforts.

Launch Schedule and Details

The Axiom-4 crew will lift off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

• Launch Date: June 10, 2025
• Launch Time: 8:22 AM ET (5:52 PM IST)
• Arrival at ISS: June 11, around 10 PM IST
• Mission Duration: Approximately 14 days

Scientific Objectives and Experiments on Ax-4

The Axiom-4 mission will conduct a total of 60 scientific experiments, focusing on space medicine, technology, biology, and commercial applications.

• ISRO-led Experiments: 7
• NASA Human Research Program: 5 with Shukla’s participation
• NASA Collaborative Studies: 5 additional projects featuring Shukla

These experiments aim to deepen understanding of human physiology in space and advance commercial space research.

Meet the Axiom-4 Crew: A Global Team of Trailblazers

The four-member Axiom-4 crew includes representatives from India, the USA, Poland, and Hungary, making this a truly international collaboration:

• Peggy Whitson (USA): Mission Commander and one of the most experienced American astronauts. This is her second commercial flight.
• Shubhanshu Shukla (India): Indian Air Force pilot and Gaganyaan astronaut, taking on his first international mission to space.
• Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland): Scientist and engineer serving as a mission specialist.
• Tibor Kapu (Hungary): Mechanical engineer and mission specialist representing Hungary.

This mission marks the first time these three nations—India, Poland, and Hungary—will have astronauts aboard the ISS.

Shubhanshu Shukla: Carrying the Dreams of 1.4 Billion Indians

Speaking about his excitement for the mission, Shubhanshu Shukla shared:

“I am really, really excited to go into microgravity and experience spaceflight on my own… I also have a personal agenda of capturing my experiences on board the station through pictures and videos so that I can share these with all the ‘Bharatvaasis’ back home.”

He emphasized that while he may be one man traveling to space, this journey symbolically belongs to all of India.

India’s Rising Presence in Global Space Missions

Shukla’s participation in Axiom-4 strengthens India’s growing footprint in the global space ecosystem. As one of the selected astronauts for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, his involvement in Axiom-4 also offers valuable international experience ahead of India’s own human spaceflight program.

The Axiom-4 mission is a significant step for both India’s space ambitions and international collaboration in science and technology. As the countdown begins, all eyes are on Shubhanshu Shukla, who is not only making history but also inspiring a new generation of Indian space dreamers.

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