New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will embark on the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, now scheduled for launch on June 19, 2025, after an earlier indefinite postponement. The mission will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, marking a historic moment for India’s human spaceflight program.
The new launch date was finalized following a critical meeting between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, where technical issues, including a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9, were addressed. SpaceX engineers have resolved the problem, ensuring the rocket’s readiness for the mission. Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO’s latest astronaut, will join an international crew on the Ax-4 mission, becoming one of the few Indians to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
A separate concern involving a pressure anomaly in the ISS’s Zvezda Service Module is being monitored by Axiom Space and NASA. Though unrelated to the Ax-4 launch, Axiom Space emphasized its commitment to crew safety and mission success through meticulous oversight.
The Ax-4 mission aligns with Axiom Space’s vision to enhance commercial access to low-Earth orbit and develop the world’s first commercial space station. Shukla will conduct seven India-designed experiments and collaborate on joint studies with NASA aboard the ISS, contributing to scientific advancements. His participation is a landmark achievement for India, inspiring future generations of space explorers.
