- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to script history as the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a commercial spacecraft. The Indian Air Force officer will be part of the Axiom-4 mission, scheduled to launch on May 29, marking a historic milestone for India's space journey after a gap of four decades since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 mission. The announcement was made by Axiom Space at a press conference on Tuesday.
Shubhanshu Shukla's journey into space signifies India’s return to human spaceflight after a gap of over four decades, following the iconic 1984 mission of Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. The Axiom-4 mission is not only a personal achievement for Shukla but also a strategic step forward in India’s global space presence.
Axiom Mission 4, the fourth private astronaut mission to the @Space_Station, is targeted to launch no earlier than 1:03 p.m. EDT, Thursday, May 29, from @NASAKennedy in Florida. 🚀
— NASA Space Operations (@NASASpaceOps) April 29, 2025
Private astronaut missions to the station help pave the way toward NASA’s efforts in developing a… pic.twitter.com/H5lojNQQWg
About Shubhanshu Shukla
Group Captain Shukla, who will serve as the Mission Pilot and astronaut designate, is a decorated test pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flying experience. Selected for India’s astronaut training program in 2019, he has undergone intensive training in Russia and India to prepare for this momentous mission. He will join an international crew led by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, along with astronauts from Poland and Hungary.
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Collaboration And Mission Goals
The Axiom-4 mission is a joint collaboration involving NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and ISRO. It reflects a growing emphasis on international cooperation in space exploration and commercial space travel.
Once docked at the ISS, the crew will spend up to 14 days aboard the space station, participating in a variety of activities, including:
- Scientific experiments
- Educational and outreach programs
- Commercial research
India’s Expanding Role In Space
This mission marks a turning point for India’s aspirations in human spaceflight and its broader space diplomacy goals. It comes at a time when ISRO is also preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s indigenous human spaceflight program.