India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Makes History on SpaceX Axiom Mission 4

Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian in space and the first to reach the ISS, as SpaceX’s Axiom Mission 4 launches successfully.

Everything about Axiom Mission 4

After weeks of anticipation and multiple delays, SpaceX successfully launched the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) today on 25th June. It is a historical mission for India because it is carrying the Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. He is the second Indian to travel into space, and the first one in more than 40 years since Rakesh Sharma made history by flying to space in 1984. 

Major Mission Information

• Launch Time: 2:31 a.m. EDT (6:31 a.m. GMT, 12:01 p.m. IST), June 25, 2025
• Launch Complex: 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida  
• Spacecraft: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a newly built Crew Dragon capsule dubbed as the Grace by the Ax-4 crew 
• Mission Duration: 14 days in ISS
• Mission Operator: Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX

Who are the Ax-4 Crew?

• Commander: Peggy Whitson (USA), former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space
• Pilot: Shubhanshu Shukla, Indian Air Force fighter pilot and ISRO astronaut
• Mission Specialist: Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), ESA project astronaut
• Mission Specialist: Tibor Kapu (Hungary)

It is the first time that astronauts of India, Poland as well as Hungary are flying to the ISS, and it is the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission of each country in more than forty years.

Why Was THe Launch Delayed? 

The launch  was delayed because of three major reasons: High-altitude winds that led to the first postponement. A leak in the Falcon 9 rocket that caused another delay, and the ISS Zvezda module leak. NASA and Roscosmos were working on the pressure leak in the Russian Zvezda module that led to delay in the mission for nearly two weeks until everything was deemed safe for the launch. 

What will the crew do on the ISS?

The Ax-4 astronauts will spend two weeks in space where they will:

• Perform approximately 60 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations by representing 31 countries which include India.
• Prioritize microgravity research that includes human health, earth observation, life sciences, and material Sciences.
• Engage in outreach; get involved with education-related activities to motivate the scientists and engineers of the future.

What Did India Gain by Participating in This Mission?

Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to go into ISS and also the 2nd Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma. NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, ISRO, and the European Space Agency are collaborating in this mission, which underscores India becoming a bigger player in the international space exploration market. 

Shukla’s participation in this mission is seen as a significant step towards India’s own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, which aims to launch Indian astronauts on an indigenous spacecraft in the near future.

Axiom Mission 4 is a milestone of both commercial spaceflight and international cooperation. To India, this is a moment of pride as Shubhanshu Shukla takes the flag of India to the ISS and potential new people who would develop an interest in science and space. With the world awaiting more missions like this, India is getting an increasing presence in human space exploration.