India Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Pilot Axiom-4 Mission To The ISS On June 10
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Ax-4 mission to the ISS on June 10, conducting key experiments and marking India’s return to human spaceflight.
In a landmark moment for Indian space history, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to pilot the upcoming Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS), marking India’s return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. The mission is scheduled for launch on Tuesday, June 10, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
"The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 12:30 pm EDT (10 pm IST), Wednesday, June 11," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said in a statement.
Diverse International Crew on Board
Shukla will be joined by mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut, and mission specialists Tibor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland. The Ax-4 crew is expected to spend 14 days aboard the ISS, engaging in scientific experiments and outreach activities.
The launch, initially scheduled for June 8, was postponed by two days and will now occur on June 10, with docking expected after a nearly 28-hour journey.
A Historic Moment After 41 Years
This mission comes 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to fly into space aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. “As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” Shukla remarked ahead of the mission.
Training, Quarantine and Final Preparations
SpaceX has already rolled out the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to the launch pad in preparation for lift-off. The crew has been under quarantine since May 25 and underwent rigorous training, including underwater escape drills.
“The #Ax4 crew undergoes extensive emergency training, featuring a range of scenarios such as underwater escape drills,” Axiom Space shared in a post on X.
Shukla described the year-long training for the mission as “nothing short of transformative.” Meanwhile, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan recently visited Axiom Space to review the mission’s final preparations.
Whitson emphasized the international aspect of the crew and mission, stating, “Our previous missions set the stage and with Ax-4, we ascend even higher, bringing more nations to low-Earth orbit and expanding humanity's reach among the stars.”
She added, “We are good for the launch, we have completed all the training and the team has bonded well.”
During their stay aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 astronauts will interact with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, school students, and global space industry leaders as part of their outreach program.
Scientific Experiments Led by India
Shukla’s mission is not just symbolic but also highly scientific. He will conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed through collaboration between ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA. These experiments aim to advance space nutrition and support systems necessary for future long-duration missions.
One of the key experiments involves sprouting Indian food grains like methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity. These seeds will later be cultivated on Earth over generations to study long-term viability.
ISRO has lined up seven experiments for Shukla, in addition to five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program.
Preparing for Gaganyaan and Beyond
This experience is expected to feed directly into India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, slated for a 2027 launch. The Axiom-4 mission, for which ISRO is investing approximately ₹550 crore, will serve as a crucial precursor and training ground for Indian ambitions in human spaceflight.
Top Headlines
