New Delhi: In a big milestone for India’s house program, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make historical past as the primary Indian to go to the Worldwide Area Station (ISS) as a part of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla, together with three different astronauts, will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle in Florida on June 10 and dock on the ISS on June 11 at round 10 pm IST.
The Nationwide Aeronautics and Area Administration (NASA) mentioned in a press release, “The crew will journey to the orbiting laboratory on a brand new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the corporate’s Falcon 9 rocket. The focused docking time is roughly 12:30 pm EDT (10 pm IST), Wednesday, June 11.”
The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the Worldwide Area Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complicated 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast beginning at 6:15 AM EDT. pic.twitter.com/2ACocwFRSQ
— Axiom Area (@Axiom_Space) June 3, 2025
The Axiom-4 Crew
In accordance with NASA, Shukla will pilot the Ax-4 mission, accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut, and mission specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. This numerous crew represents a joint effort between NASA and the Indian Area Analysis Organisation (ISRO), marking a big step in worldwide cooperation in house exploration.
Mission Goals
Throughout their 14-day keep on the ISS, the crew will conduct numerous scientific experiments, outreach actions, and industrial endeavors. Shukla will deal with meals and nutrition-related experiments, together with finding out the sprouting of Indian meals grains like methi (fenugreek) and moong (inexperienced gram) in microgravity situations. These experiments goal to advance house diet and assist techniques essential for future long-duration missions.
Preparations and Coaching
The crew has been in quarantine since Could 25 and has undergone rigorous coaching, together with underwater escape drills, to organize for the mission. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan just lately visited Axiom Area to assessment the preparations for the spaceflight, making certain a clean and profitable mission.
The #Ax4 crew undergoes in depth emergency coaching, that includes a variety of situations comparable to underwater escape drills. pic.twitter.com/Mwoeb9fk51
— Axiom Area (@Axiom_Space) June 6, 2025
Significance of the Mission
The Axiom-4 mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic spaceflight aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Shukla’s mission is anticipated to pave the best way for India’s progress in microgravity science and contribute to the nation’s Gaganyaan mission, slated for a 2027 launch.
Forward of the mission’s launch, SpaceX rolled out the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft to the launch pad in Florida on Saturday.
The Dragon spacecraft was seen built-in atop Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket.
Falcon 9 and Dragon rolled out to pad 39A in Florida earlier at this time forward of Tuesday’s launch of @Axiom_Space’s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/IenCNUSYFQ
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 7, 2025
Experiments and Outreach
Shukla will conduct seven experiments designed by Indian analysis establishments, together with stem cell cultures and crop seed conduct in microgravity. The crew may also work together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faculty college students, and house trade leaders throughout their keep on the ISS. The mission is a big step ahead for India’s house program, with ISRO investing roughly ₹550 crore within the Axiom-4 mission.
As Shukla mentioned, “Even stars are attainable.” This mission is a testomony to India’s rising presence in house exploration and its dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific information.