International News: In a landmark moment for Indian space history, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is set to begin his journey beyond Earth as part of the AXIOM-4 (Ax-04) mission. The launch, scheduled for June 25, 2025, will take place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the United States, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket powering the mission. The launch window is set for 12:00 PM local time (11:01 PM IST). Weather reports suggest a 90% launch probability, indicating optimal conditions for liftoff.
Second Indian to Travel to Space
Shukla is on track to become India’s second spacefarer, nearly four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space back in 1984. Sharma had famously expressed patriotic pride from orbit, saying, “Sare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara.”
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— Shubhanshu Shukla (@IndiaInSky) June 21, 2025About the AXIOM-4 Mission
The Ax-04 mission is a commercial spaceflight initiative conducted by Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, and SpaceX. It aims to facilitate nearly 60 scientific investigations representing contributions from over 30 countries.
Crew Members:
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot
- Peggy Whitson (USA)—Commander and veteran NASA astronaut
- Slawosz Uznanski-Visniewski (Poland) – Mission Specialist
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
Their destination is the International Space Station, where they will carry out cutting-edge research and international collaboration projects.
Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was born on October 10, 1985. He joined the Indian Air Force in 2006, and today holds the rank of Group Captain. He has accumulated more than 2,000 hours of flying experience, having operated a wide array of aircraft such as the Sukhoi-30, MiG-29, MiG-21, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and AN-32.
To prepare for human spaceflight, he underwent rigorous training at Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in 2019, acquiring critical astronaut skills.
Part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan Before Ax-04
Shukla, who was originally selected as an astronaut trainee for India’s Gaganyaan program, was subsequently nominated to join the international AX-04 mission crew. His nomination was formally announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2024.
Shubhanshu’s Sentiments on the Mission
Reflecting on his inclusion in the Ax-04 mission, Shukla shared:
“I learned about my selection just a week before traveling to Florida. It felt surreal. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a dream come true for me.”
Inspiring India’s Youth
Shukla believes his journey can serve as a motivating force for the youth of the country. He said: “If my space journey inspires even one child to follow their passion for science, I will consider it a major accomplishment.”
Commander Whitson’s Endorsement
Peggy Whitson, leading the AX-04 mission, commended Shukla’s professionalism and technical expertise:
“Having Shubhanshu as our pilot is a tremendous asset. His experience and precision are exactly what this mission needs.”
Launch Timeline
- Launch Date: June 25, 2025
- Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Spacecraft: Dragon capsule
- ISS Arrival: June 26, 2025, at 4:30 PM IST
A Symbol of National Achievement
This mission isn’t just a scientific milestone—it’s a moment of pride for over a billion Indians. As Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to represent India among the stars, the nation celebrates a significant leap in its growing presence in space exploration.
