Indian Astronaut to Embark on Historic ISS Mission
NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for launch on May 29, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This milestone marks India’s second human spaceflight, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, according to a statement from the Union Minister of State for Space, Jitendra Singh.
The Ax-4 mission, a collaborative effort between NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Axiom Space, a private U.S.-based space company, will see Shukla join an international crew including astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary. The team will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket, for a 14-day mission at the ISS. During their stay, the crew will conduct scientific experiments, educational outreach, and commercial activities, as detailed in a NASA release .
Shukla, a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience on aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, and Jaguar, was selected as one of four astronaut-designates for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program set for 2026. His participation in Ax-4 is expected to provide critical experience in spaceflight operations, microgravity adaptation, and emergency protocols, which will benefit India’s future crewed missions, according to an official statement .
The mission underscores India’s growing role in global space exploration through public-private partnerships. ISRO has secured a seat for Shukla on Ax-4, a move that strengthens ties with NASA and Axiom Space. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been named as the backup astronaut, ensuring mission readiness.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the mission as a “defining chapter” in India’s space journey, emphasizing its significance alongside other ISRO initiatives, including the Gaganyaan program and the upcoming NISAR satellite launch. The Ax-4 mission, approved by NASA and its international partners, is part of Axiom Space’s series of private astronaut missions, with previous flights in 2022, 2023, and 2024.