The successful completion of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which saw ISRO Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla spend 18 days on the International Space Station (ISS), has significantly fueled India's ambitions to construct its own space station. Launched on June 25, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the Ax-4 mission was a collaborative effort involving NASA, Axiom Space, ESA, and other international partners.
Shukla's participation in the Ax-4 mission provided invaluable experience in critical areas, including crew-ground coordination, real-time health monitoring, medical and psychological preparation, and the integration of international crews. This hands-on experience will directly contribute to enhancing astronaut readiness, validating safety protocols, and refining mission planning for India's Human Spaceflight Programme.
The Ax-4 mission wasn't just a symbolic achievement; it was a practical step forward. Shukla conducted experiments developed by ISRO and other Indian institutions, focusing on the cognitive impacts of screen usage, microbial adaptation, muscle atrophy, and how well crops can grow when there's no gravity. The mission facilitated significant research, with around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and various European nations. This extensive research underscores the mission's global importance and its collaborative approach to advancing microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
India's involvement in the Axiom-4 mission also included a high-level ISRO delegation, led by Chairman ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space, Dr. V. Narayanan, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The delegation actively participated in the launch operations, even playing a crucial role in resolving technical issues, such as an oxygen leakage, ensuring a safe and successful launch.
Moreover, the mission included public outreach events that connected India's space achievements with its citizens and students, inspiring the next generation and fostering national pride. A highlight was a live interaction between Shukla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ISS on June 28, 2025.
The Axiom-4 mission holds broader significance as it marks the first government-backed mission to the ISS for India, Poland, and Hungary in over 40 years. Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, and only the second Indian to go to space, following Rakesh Sharma's journey in 1984. The mission underscores the increasing democratization of access to low-Earth orbit through commercial partnerships and enhances the scientific visibility of emerging space nations. This mission also reinforces Axiom Space's ambition to build the world's first commercial space station.
