In a major milestone for Indian space exploration, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is finally poised to launch into space aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) — marking India’s return to human spaceflight after four decades. The mission, a joint effort between Axiom Space, SpaceX, NASA, and ISRO, is scheduled for launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 AM ET on June 26 (12:01 PM IST Wednesday), after a series of six postponements due to technical concerns.
Shukla will become only the second Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), following in the footsteps of legendary astronaut Rakesh Sharma, who flew as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme in 1984. His inclusion in this prestigious private spaceflight mission underlines the growing collaboration between India and the United States in space exploration.
SpaceX and Axiom Ready for Takeoff
Elon Musk’s SpaceX confirmed that Falcon 9 is ready for liftoff, with the launch window carefully aligned after repeated delays over the past fortnight. The most recent setback came on June 11, when a liquid oxygen system leak was discovered in the Falcon 9 booster during a routine hot test. Engineers worked meticulously to rectify the issue, with the safety of the crew and integrity of the mission remaining paramount.
SpaceX stated,
“This will be the first flight for the Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission and the second flight for the first stage booster, which previously launched a Starlink mission.”
Following stage separation, the Falcon 9’s reusable first-stage booster will land at Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Crew and Mission Objectives
The Ax-4 mission is commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, now Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot, while Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) will participate as mission specialists under the European Space Agency (ESA).
During their mission aboard the ISS, the crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including cutting-edge research in:
- Human physiology in microgravity
- Earth observation techniques
- Material and biological sciences
These experiments are expected to contribute significantly to space medicine, sustainable life support systems, and long-duration space travel research.
A Strategic Move in India-US Space Relations
The inclusion of an Indian astronaut in a private international mission is the result of a strategic partnership announced jointly by U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at deepening collaboration between NASA and ISRO.
This mission also reflects India’s growing ambitions in space, as ISRO plans for its own human spaceflight program — Gaganyaan, now scheduled for the latter half of the decade.
Shukla, who joined the Indian Air Force in 2006, was promoted to Group Captain in 2024 and brings with him 2,000 hours of flight experience across various fighter aircraft. His technical expertise and discipline made him an ideal candidate for the demanding responsibilities of piloting a spacecraft to the ISS.
ISRO and Safety Coordination
ISRO has emphasized that safety and mission assurance have remained central throughout the pre-launch process. The agency has worked in close coordination with SpaceX, NASA, and Axiom Space, particularly addressing concerns related to the ISS’s Zvezda service module, which initially delayed the Ax-4 launch window.
If all goes according to plan, the Ax-4 crew will dock with the ISS within 24 hours of launch and begin their approximately two-week mission in orbit. For India, this launch is more than a technical feat—it is a symbolic return to the international stage of human spaceflight, with an eye toward future lunar and Mars missions.
As the countdown begins again, a billion eyes will turn skyward, hoping to witness history as India’s second spacefarer takes off for the stars.
