India is set to mark a historic milestone in space exploration today as Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to lift off to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, scheduled for launch at 12:01 PM IST from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA.
The mission, organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and ISRO, will carry four astronauts from four different countries—India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary—for a 14-day scientific mission in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Global Crew, United in Science
The four-member international crew includes:
-
Shubhanshu Shukla – India
-
Sławosz Uznański – Poland
-
Tibor Kapu – Hungary
-
Peggy Whitson – United States (Mission Commander)
This mission will make Shukla the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s legendary 1984 flight. Uznański and Kapu will become the second astronauts from their respective countries, adding to the mission’s historic significance.
🛰️ Mission Timeline and Objectives
The Axiom-4 capsule is expected to dock with the ISS tomorrow at 4:30 PM IST, approximately 28 hours after launch.
During their two-week stay on the ISS, the astronauts will carry out:
-
Over 60 scientific experiments
-
Research spanning 31 countries
-
Studies in microgravity, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach
ISRO has also contributed key experiments, underscoring the growing collaboration between India and international partners in the new era of space science.
Leadership and Legacy
Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut and Mission Commander for Axiom-4, described the mission as:
“A leap forward in advancing scientific knowledge and fostering global space cooperation.”
The mission highlights the strengthening ties between NASA, ISRO, and global space agencies, setting the stage for future collaborative space missions, possibly even lunar and interplanetary endeavors.
Though Axiom-4 is not an Indian-led mission. The participation of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is serving officer in the Indian Air Force, is officially backed by ISRO and the Government of India. His journey is seen as a strategic part of India’s preparations for its human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan.
The experience Shukla gains on the ISS will provide hands-on exposure to international space operations, mission protocols, and microgravity research, valuable insights as India works toward launching astronauts aboard Indian rockets from Indian soil in the coming years.
While excitement around the mission runs high, ISRO officials have reiterated that crew safety and technological readiness remain top priorities.
“Every mission like this builds confidence. But when it comes to human spaceflight, there are no shortcuts. Safety comes first,” said a senior ISRO official.
This mission is more than symbolic—it’s a training ground for India’s spacefaring future.
