On the morning of 25 June, Axiom Space launched its “Ax-4” mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Onboard were four astronauts, including ISRO’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
With this mission, Shukla becomes the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984), and the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS).
Shukla is serving as the pilot for this mission, with Peggy Whitson from the US as the mission commander.
The other two astronauts are Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wiśniewski from Poland, both flying as mission specialists.
The team launched at 12:01 PM (IST) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, inside the Crew Dragon capsule “Grace”.
The 14-day mission focuses on scientific research and global cooperation, and it will also give valuable experience for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.
Launch and Mission Details
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off smoothly, carrying the Crew Dragon “Grace” capsule toward the ISS.
Weather conditions were good, and the launch process went without any issues. The capsule is expected to dock with the ISS at 4:30 PM IST on 26 June, about 28 hours after launch.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Role
Shukla is now the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and is flying as the mission pilot. His role brings global recognition to ISRO and is seen as a big step forward for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
Scientific Goals of the Mission
The astronauts will conduct around 60 experiments in microgravity, including six projects related to ISRO. These include studies on algae growth, human health, and crop cultivation in space conditions.
Why This Mission Is Special
This mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s historic space journey. It is a major milestone in the field of commercial space travel and international access to the ISS.
The Ax-4 mission is a joint project by Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. After this, Axiom Space plans to build its own space station, further expanding global space opportunities.
