Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as the second Indian to venture into space, and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS). His journey aboard Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission is now scheduled for launch on June 10, 2025, at 8:22 AM EDT (5:52 PM IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch was initially set for June 8 but was postponed due to predicted inclement weather and to allow for final processing of the spacecraft.
The Ax-4 mission, a collaborative effort between NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the European Space Agency (ESA), is operated by the Houston-based private company, Axiom Space. Shukla will be part of a four-member multinational crew, including Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut; Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland; and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Whitson, a veteran of space travel, will lead the mission, while Shukla will serve as the pilot, acting as second-in-command and assisting with spacecraft operations during launch, docking, undocking, and re-entry.
The crew will travel aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, launched by a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. Following the launch, the spacecraft will embark on a journey of over 24 hours to reach the ISS. Docking is anticipated around 12:30 PM ET on Wednesday, June 11, at the Harmony module's space-facing port. The Dragon spacecraft is designed to dock autonomously, requiring supervision from the crew.
During their approximately 14-day stay on the ISS, orbiting Earth at an altitude of roughly 400 kilometers, the Ax-4 astronauts will conduct around 60 scientific studies and activities. Shukla will be involved in experiments developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. These experiments will focus on space nutrition and the development of self-sustaining life support systems, vital for future long-duration space missions. ISRO has planned seven experiments for Shukla, with NASA contributing five joint studies focusing on its human research program. These include India-centric food experiments, such as sprouting methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity.
Shukla's mission holds immense significance for India's burgeoning space program. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted the training and collaborative experience Shukla will gain aboard the ISS. ISRO has invested ₹5 billion ($59 million) to secure Shukla's seat and training. Shukla's experience will contribute to astronaut training protocols, life-support research, and mission planning for future Indian space endeavors, including the Gaganyaan project, which aims to send three astronauts to an orbit of 400km and bring them back after three days and is slated for 2027. India also envisions establishing a space station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
For those eager to witness this historic event, the launch will be broadcast live. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX will provide live coverage, with broadcasts starting at 6:15 AM EDT on June 10. Details on where to watch the live stream will be available on NASA's official website and social media channels, as well as on Axiom Space's platforms.
