Second Indian in Space, First at the ISS: Inside Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s Skyrocketing Mission Aboard Ax-4
Ax-4 launches an Indian Air Force ace to the ISS in a historic multi-national mission, sparking a new chapter in India’s space ambitions.
- Date of Ax-4 Launch: June 10, 2025, 08:22 EDT
- India’s ISS Debut: First Indian at the ISS, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s flight
- Experiments Conducted: 60 on-board, 7 from India
- Mission Duration: 2 weeks in orbit
Get ready for a giant leap in global space cooperation. The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) roars to life on June 10, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center—with an Indian pilot at the controls for the very first time. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated officer in the Indian Air Force, makes history as he heads to the International Space Station (ISS) alongside a diverse crew, marking India’s boldest human space venture since 1984.
Crowds across India buzz with pride and anticipation. For the nation’s 1.4 billion citizens, Shukla is more than a pilot—he’s a symbol of possibility. The Ax-4 mission is not just about breaking records. It’s about laying groundwork for an even more ambitious Indian space program, with eyes set on lunar landings and a future Indian space station.
Who Is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shukla joined the Indian Air Force in 2006, almost by accident—after filling out a friend’s application form! Fast forward to today, he boasts over 2,000 flight hours on MiGs, Sukhois, Jaguars, and more. After years of fierce competition, he earned a coveted spot on this multinational journey—making him just the second Indian in history to fly to space, and the first to reach the ISS.
Shukla describes the journey as “transformative,” carrying not just equipment but the aspirations of an entire nation. Experts emphasize that his hands-on experience with the ISS will be invaluable for future Indian missions—including a homegrown crewed mission and the country’s ambitious 2035 space station plan, spearheaded by ISRO.
What Makes Ax-4 So Special?
Ax-4 is a groundbreaking collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, ESA, and ISRO. Veteran ISS commander Peggy Whitson leads the diverse team, alongside pilots from Poland and Hungary—both returning to space after over four decades. The crew’s goals: perform science, strengthen international ties, and inspire millions.
Q: What Will Shukla and the Ax-4 Crew Do on the ISS?
While drifting in microgravity, Shukla’s schedule sparkles with science and outreach. The crew will tackle 60 scientific experiments—seven of them from India. These studies include:
- Analyzing how six types of crop seeds react to space conditions—a giant step toward growing food off-Earth.
- Cultivating microalgae that could become space food, fuel, or life-support materials.
- Studying “water bears” (tardigrades), nature’s ultimate survivors, to understand their resilience in space.
- Investigating remedies for muscle loss, and how working on screens in orbit affects astronauts’ brains and wellbeing.
ISRO aims to connect Shukla with students back home through live Q&A sessions from the ISS. The hope? To spark curiosity and inspire future scientists and explorers across India.
How Is This Part of India’s Big Space Plans?
The Ax-4 mission is just the starting gun. India preps to send its first astronauts into orbit under Project Gaganyaan by 2027 and is test-launching a humanoid robot this year. ISRO eyes a national space station by 2035 and aims to land an Indian astronaut on the Moon before 2040—a bold vision in sync with space leaders like ESA and NASA.
Officials say the training and experience gained from Ax-4 will elevate Indian space tech—and help it claim its seat at the global table.
Q: How Can Students and Space Fans Join the Journey?
ISRO will organize interactive events, connecting students directly to Shukla during his two weeks in orbit. Updates, science sessions, and hands-on experiments—all broadcast online—will give young Indians a front row seat to humanity’s greatest adventure.
Don’t miss this historic launch and the dawn of a new era for India in space! Follow live updates, cheer for the Ax-4 crew, and take inspiration from the cosmic pursuit. Ready to dream bigger?
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Ax-4 Mission Checklist:
- Watch the Ax-4 launch on June 10, 2025
- Follow ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space for mission updates
- Join live Q&A events with Group Captain Shukla
- Learn more about Project Gaganyaan and India’s lunar ambitions
- Stay tuned for results from the 60 space experiments
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