Shukla Axiom-4 Mission: India to ISS – June 10 Launch
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla blasts off on June 10 as part of teh Shukla Axiom-4 mission, marking India’s triumphant return to the International Space Station (ISS) after a 41-year absence! This historic mission, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, will see Shukla participating in critical experiments on space nutrition and life support systems. The crew, including commander Peggy Whitson, will conduct this research during their 14-day stay. ISRO’s investment in Axiom-4 underscores India’s commitment to groundbreaking space exploration. News Directory 3 highlights the mission’s meaning. They will also collaborate with NASA on human research studies. Discover what’s next for India’s space program.
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu shukla Embarks on Historic ISS Mission with Axiom Space
updated June 07, 2025
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as he joins Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission to the international Space Station (ISS). The launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is scheduled for June 10, with docking at the ISS expected around 10 p.m. IST on June 11, following a 28-hour journey.
Shukla, serving as mission pilot, will be accompanied by commander Peggy Whitson, Hungarian specialist Tibor Kapu, and Polish specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski. This mission marks India’s return to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 flight aboard Russia’s Soyuz.
NASA stated that the crew will travel in a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket, with docking targeted for 12:30 p.m. EDT on June 11.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan recently visited Axiom Space to assess the mission’s readiness. the astronauts have been in quarantine since May 25, undergoing extensive training, including underwater escape drills, as highlighted by axiom Space.
During their 14-day stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew plans to engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and space industry leaders. Commander Whitson confirmed the crew’s readiness after completing all training and bonding well as a team.
Shukla described his year-long training as transformative, stating, “As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”
Shukla will conduct experiments on space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems, a collaboration between ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology, and NASA. These experiments are crucial for future long-duration space travel. ISRO has planned seven experiments, and Shukla will also participate in five NASA human research studies. These include experiments with India-centric food, such as sprouting fenugreek and green gram in microgravity.
The seeds exposed to space conditions will be brought back to Earth and cultivated over generations.
“As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,”
Shubhanshu Shukla, Astronaut
What’s next
shukla’s experience on Axiom Mission 4 will be valuable for the Gaganyaan mission, planned for 2027. ISRO is investing ₹550 crore in the Axiom-4 mission, focusing on advancing India’s space exploration capabilities and fostering international collaboration in space research.