The Axiom-4 mission, carrying Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three international crewmates, successfully launched on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, at 12:01 PM IST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This landmark event marks India's return to space after 41 years and sees Shukla become the first Indian astronaut to ever visit the International Space Station (ISS). The mission signifies a major milestone in India's growing presence in space exploration and its collaboration with international partners.
Shukla joins veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US), who is the commander of the mission, Polish engineer Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu on this 14-day sojourn to the ISS. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, following the successful launch on a Falcon 9 rocket. Docking is targeted for approximately 4:30 PM IST on Thursday, June 26.
Shubhanshu Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF), was selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the prime astronaut for this mission. Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla is a seasoned pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying experience on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk. His selection and participation in the Axiom-4 mission underscore his exceptional skills and contributions to the IAF and the Indian space program.
This mission is particularly significant as it marks the return to space for India, Hungary, and Poland. The Axiom-4 mission will feature approximately 60 studies representing 31 countries. As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 fulfills a commitment to send an ISRO astronaut to the station, a highlight emphasized by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The space agencies are jointly participating in five science investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations.
Once docked, the astronauts will spend approximately two weeks aboard the ISS, conducting a mission focused on science, outreach, and commercial activities. ISRO has planned seven experiments for Shukla to conduct during his stay, related to food and nutrition, which are a collaboration between ISRO, DBT, and NASA. The astronauts will conduct around 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by ISRO.
Shukla’s journey is not just a personal achievement but also carries the hopes and dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. He acknowledged this sentiment in his first message from space, saying, "The tricolor on my shoulder reminds me that India stands with me. I want all my countrymen to be part of this journey. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat." This mission is seen by ISRO as a key stepping stone toward its own maiden crewed mission, planned for 2027 under the Gaganyaan program.
The Axiom-4 mission is being carried out by Axiom Space, a private company, in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency. This collaboration highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration and the increasing international cooperation in space endeavors. This mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally.
