Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as the second Indian to venture into space, following Rakesh Sharma's journey in 1984. As pilot of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Shubhanshu Shukla's launch to the International Space Station (ISS) is now targeted for June 25, 2025, at 12:01 PM India Time. This mission, operated by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, marks a significant milestone for India's space program and international collaboration.

The Ax-4 mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to propel the Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The targeted docking time at the ISS is approximately 4:30 PM India Time on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Shubhanshu Shukla will be joined by three international crew members: Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This diverse crew signifies the global collaboration that defines modern space exploration.

The Axiom-4 mission has faced multiple delays, initially scheduled for launch on May 29, 2025. Subsequent postponements were attributed to various factors, including a liquid oxygen leak detected in the Falcon 9 rocket's boosters and a potential pressure leak in the Russian module of the ISS. These delays underscore the complexities and challenges inherent in spaceflight, where safety and technical integrity are paramount.

As pilot, Shubhanshu Shukla will play a crucial role in the 14-day science expedition aboard the ISS. He will be responsible for overseeing seven Indian science studies, designed by academics and scientists from across the country. These experiments will contribute to various fields, including the cognitive effects of screen use, microbial adaptation, muscle atrophy, and crop resilience in microgravity.

The Axiom-4 mission holds significant importance for India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. While Gaganyaan remains India's independent crewed program, Ax-4 provides the first opportunity for an Indian astronaut to fly on a commercial mission to the ISS. This mission will provide invaluable operational experience and contribute to India's long-term vision of a sustained presence in space.

The Ax-4 mission also signifies a return to human spaceflight for Poland and Hungary, marking each nation's first government-sponsored flight in over 40 years. This mission underscores Axiom Space's role in redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally.

The research complement of Ax-4 includes approximately 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries. This extensive research portfolio highlights the mission's global significance and collaborative nature in advancing microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Shubhanshu Shukla's journey to space represents a momentous occasion for India and a testament to international collaboration in space exploration. As the world watches the launch of Axiom Mission 4, it celebrates not only a remarkable achievement but also the boundless potential of human ingenuity and cooperation in pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.