Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He will embark on this journey as part of Axiom Space’s Axe-4 mission, scheduled to launch no earlier than May 29, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a Spacex Crew Dragon spacecraft. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is designated as Shukla’s backup.
This marks India’s second astronaut in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. Shukla, a decorated test pilot and astronaut-designate for India’s Gaganyaan mission, will be the mission pilot aboard a Spacex Dragon spacecraft, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The 14-day mission, commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, includes mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Mission Overview
Mission Name: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
Launch Date: No earlier than May 29, 2025
Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5
Spacecraft: Crew Dragon
Duration: Approximately 14–21 days
Destination: International Space Station (ISS)
Crew Members:
Peggy Whitson (Commander, USA)
Shubhanshu Shukla (Pilot, India)
Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Mission Specialist, Poland)
Tibor Kapu (Mission Specialist, Hungary)
Scientific Endeavours. Shukla will conduct around seven scientific experiments, including studies on muscle loss, screen time effects in microgravity (Voyager Displays), and bio-farming, contributing to ISRO’s research for future crewed missions like Gaganyaan.
Cultural Representation. In addition to scientific work, Shukla plans to promote Indian culture by carrying artefacts and practising yoga aboard the ISS, symbolising India’s rich heritage in space exploration.
Significance for India. The mission, a partnership between NASA, Axiom Space, and ISRO, underscores India’s growing role in global space exploration. Ax-4 features 60 scientific studies from 31 countries. This mission marks a significant milestone for India, as it will be the first time an Indian astronaut visits the ISS and the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. Group Captain Shukla’s participation is a precursor to ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
Please Add Value to the write-up with your views on the subject.
For regular updates, please register your email here:-
References and credits
To all the online sites and channels.
Pics Courtesy: Internet
Disclaimer:
Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.
References:-
- Times Now. (2025, April 18). Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla? Indian Astronaut-designate Group Captain to Fly to International Space Station In May.
- ET Now. (2025, April 18). This is a major step for India’s space journey! Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will travel to space next month, the Modi government confirmed.
- NDTV. (2025, April 18). Indian Astronaut-Designate Shubhanshu Shukla To Fly To Space Station in May.
- The Times of India. (2025, April 18). An international space mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to fly in May.
- News on Air. (2025, April 18). IAF’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Fly to ISS Next Month on Axiom’s Ax-4 Mission.
- India Today. (2025, April 11). India’s Shubhanshu Shukla will study how screen time affects the human brain in space.
- Gadgets360. (2025, April 7). ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Make History with Space Station Mission in May.
- ETV Bharat. (2025, April 7). Axiom Mission 4 Set To Launch In May 2025 With India’s Gaganyaan Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
- Republic World. (2025, April 2). IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla to Become First Indian Astronaut Aboard SpaceX Dragon.