June 26, 2025 โ Space history was made yesterday as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, launched into orbit aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This important flight marks India’s return to human space travel after 41 years and is the first time an Indian astronaut will visit the International Space Station (ISS).
The Ax-4 mission lifted off successfully at 2:31 AM EDT (12:01 PM IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft. The spacecraft is expected to reach the ISS today, June 26.
Shubhanshu Shukla is the pilot for this mission. He joins Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S. (a former NASA astronaut), Sลawosz Uznaลski-Wiลniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This diverse team shows how space travel is becoming more global and open to more countries through private companies.
Why is this mission so important for India?
Before Shukla, the last Indian in space was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. His flight on Ax-4 means India is back in human spaceflight. Being the first Indian to go to the ISS gives India valuable experience for its own space plans.
Shukla is also part of India’s big “Gaganyaan” program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space on Indian-built spacecraft. His time on Ax-4 will give him crucial knowledge about living and working in space, which will greatly help the Gaganyaan mission. He will also do special experiments designed by Indian scientists.
This mission has brought huge pride to India. Leaders from across the country have praised Shukla and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Shukla’s message from space, “What a ride! Namaskar mere pyare Deshvasiyo! We’ve returned to space after 40 years and it was a fantastic ride!” deeply resonated with the nation.
The Rise of Commercial Space Travel
The Ax-4 mission is led by Axiom Space, a private company that is a key player in making space travel more common. Axiom Space plans to build its own commercial space station, “Axiom Station,” which could replace the ISS in the future.
Missions like Ax-4 show that private companies can successfully manage complex space flights. By offering services to various countries and private individuals, companies like Axiom Space are making space more accessible for science, research, and future industries.
During their time on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will conduct many scientific experiments. These include studying how the human body reacts to space, testing new materials, and even looking into cancer growth in microgravity. Shukla will also carry out specific Indian experiments on things like plant growth and how screen use affects astronauts.
The successful launch of Axiom Mission 4, with Shubhanshu Shukla leading the way for India, marks an exciting new chapter. It highlights a future where different nations and private companies work together to explore beyond Earth, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space.