Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the second Indian to travel to space. He is the pilot of the Axiom 4 mission, which took off for the International Space Station on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Photo: Axiom)
In a proud milestone for India’s growing space journey, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished officer of the Indian Air Force and an astronaut trained by ISRO, is set to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) today. This mission, called Axiom-4, launched on June 25 aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, after nearly a month of delays caused by technical checks and scheduling issues.
The spacecraft lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carried by the powerful Falcon-9 rocket. This launch marked the start of a 14-day mission aimed at advancing scientific research in space and strengthening global cooperation in space exploration.
According to NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, the Dragon capsule is expected to dock autonomously with the ISS around 7 AM EST (4:30 PM IST) today. The docking will occur at the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module, a key section of the orbiting lab.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Role in the Mission
Shubhanshu Shukla, affectionately called “Shux” by his teammates, serves as the mission’s pilot. His job is not just symbolic; he will actively monitor the spacecraft’s navigation, orbital path, and its alignment with the ISS during approach. This requires intense precision, and his involvement highlights India’s growing expertise in manned space missions.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s presence also represents a growing trend of Indian involvement in global space efforts beyond national boundaries.
In this image shared by @SpaceX on X on June 25, 2025, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is seen with three fellow crew members inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as they head toward the International Space Station. (Photo: @SpaceX via PTI)
A Diverse International Crew
The Axiom-4 crew includes astronauts from four countries. Alongside Shubhanshu Shukla are:
- Peggy Whitson (USA) – Commander, a veteran NASA astronaut with several missions behind her.
- Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski (Poland) – Mission Specialist, representing Poland’s growing space efforts.
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist, bringing a European edge to the international crew.
This global mix reflects the changing nature of space missions — from being government-led to being shared efforts between public agencies and private space companies.
Mission Goals: Experiments in Microgravity
Once onboard the ISS, the crew will jump into action with a packed schedule of around 60 experiments, all set in the unique microgravity environment. Shubhanshu Shukla will lead seven of these projects, focusing on biology, materials science, and human health.
These studies are not just academic. They aim to help scientists understand how the human body and technology interact in space, offering key insights for future long-term missions, including those to the Moon and Mars.
NASA-ISRO Science Collaboration
An exciting feature of Axiom-4 is the collaboration between NASA and ISRO. Together, they plan to conduct five joint science experiments and two in-orbit technology demonstrations. These projects explore themes in science, engineering, and STEM education, showcasing India’s expanding role in global space research.
A New Chapter for India in Space
This mission is more than a personal achievement for Shubhanshu Shukla — it signals India’s rising influence in the world of human spaceflight. It opens doors for deeper partnerships and paves the way for India’s own manned space missions, like Gaganyaan, expected in the coming years.
