Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set To Make Historical past With Axiom-4 Mission On June 10

New Delhi: In a major milestone for India’s area program, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make historical past as the primary Indian to go to the Worldwide Area Station (ISS) as a part of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla, together with three different astronauts, will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle in Florida on June 10 and dock on the ISS on June 11 at round 10 pm IST.

The Nationwide Aeronautics and Area Administration (NASA) stated in an announcement, “The crew will journey to the orbiting laboratory on a brand new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the corporate’s Falcon 9 rocket. The focused docking time is roughly 12:30 pm EDT (10 pm IST), Wednesday, June 11.”

The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the Worldwide Area Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complicated 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast beginning at 6:15 AM EDT. pic.twitter.com/2ACocwFRSQ
— Axiom Area (@Axiom_Space) June 3, 2025

The Axiom-4 Crew

Based on NASA, Shukla will pilot the Ax-4 mission, accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut, and mission specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. This numerous crew represents a joint effort between NASA and the Indian Area Analysis Organisation (ISRO), marking a major step in worldwide cooperation in area exploration.

Mission Aims

Throughout their 14-day keep on the ISS, the crew will conduct varied scientific experiments, outreach actions, and business endeavors. Shukla will deal with meals and nutrition-related experiments, together with learning the sprouting of Indian meals grains like methi (fenugreek) and moong (inexperienced gram) in microgravity circumstances. These experiments goal to advance area vitamin and help techniques obligatory for future long-duration missions.

Preparations and Coaching

The crew has been in quarantine since Might 25 and has undergone rigorous coaching, together with underwater escape drills, to arrange for the mission. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan just lately visited Axiom Area to evaluate the preparations for the spaceflight, guaranteeing a clean and profitable mission.

The #Ax4 crew undergoes in depth emergency coaching, that includes a spread of situations reminiscent of underwater escape drills. pic.twitter.com/Mwoeb9fk51
— Axiom Area (@Axiom_Space) June 6, 2025

Significance of the Mission

The Axiom-4 mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic spaceflight aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Shukla’s mission is anticipated to pave the way in which for India’s progress in microgravity science and contribute to the nation’s Gaganyaan mission, slated for a 2027 launch.

Forward of the mission’s launch, SpaceX rolled out the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft to the launch pad in Florida on Saturday.

The Dragon spacecraft was seen built-in atop Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket.

Falcon 9 and Dragon rolled out to pad 39A in Florida earlier right now forward of Tuesday’s launch of @Axiom_Space’s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/IenCNUSYFQ
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 7, 2025

Experiments and Outreach

Shukla will conduct seven experiments designed by Indian analysis establishments, together with stem cell cultures and crop seed habits in microgravity. The crew can even work together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, college college students, and area trade leaders throughout their keep on the ISS. The mission is a major step ahead for India’s area program, with ISRO investing roughly ₹550 crore within the Axiom-4 mission.

As Shukla stated, “Even stars are attainable.” This mission is a testomony to India’s rising presence in area exploration and its dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific information.