When US-based Axiom Space’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla takes off on June 10, it will not only script history but also provide India with valuable experience to observe, adopt and improve upon its own human spaceflight programme that is fast taking shape.

Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space, four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic spaceflight onboard Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. “It has been an amazing journey so far, but the best is yet to come. As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” Shukla was quoted as saying in a media report.

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In order to understand why it took so long for India’s second tryst with space, we will have to go back briefly in time.

Space exploration had its golden era in the 60s, 70s and the early 80s, when nothing in the universe felt out of reach for humanity, said industry experts. Unfortunately, the following years saw a gradual slowdown in space investments and programmes. “Even as Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight inspired a generation of Indians to look up and dare to dream, fewer crewed missions were being planned as leading nations such as the US and the (then) USSR began reconsidering their investments,” said Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian private aerospace manufacturer and commercial launch service provider headquartered in Hyderabad. “The reasons included the Challenger tragedy (which occurred on January 28, 1986, resulting in the death of all seven crew members aboard), a shift in public sentiment in the West post-recession, and the fall of the USSR. As space was, back then, an endeavour solely of public institutions, geopolitical and macroeconomic considerations mattered the most,” added Chandana.

Shukla, 39, is among the four designated astronauts shortlisted last year for India’s first-ever human space flight, scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. Later, it was announced that he would also serve as a pilot on board Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the ISS, for which the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is reportedly spending Rs 550 crore, with the express goal of gaining experience for future crewed missions. “Group Captain Shukla’s mission will provide India with a valuable experience to observe, adopt, and improve upon,” added Chandana.

In recent times, India’s human spaceflight programme took off only in 2018 when the Isro announced the Gaganyaan mission. Until then, human spaceflight was not a priority for Isro. In December that year, the Centre approved a further Rs 100 billion crore for a seven-day crewed flight.

Under the Gaganyaan mission, three astronauts, often referred to as Vyomnauts or Gagannauts, are to be placed in low Earth orbit at an altitude of around 400 km for a duration of three days. “This marks a significant leap in India’s space capability. Key technological milestones have been achieved, including the development of the crew module, environmental control and life support systems, and a successful test of the crew escape system through the TV-D1 mission,” said Anil Prakash, director-general of SIA-India, a leading space industry association and advocate for space exploration and technology advancement in the country.

The roadmap includes a series of uncrewed test missions, with the first (Gaganyaan-1) targeted for later this year. “The current target for the first crewed mission is 2027, following a series of uncrewed test flights, including one with a humanoid robot named Vyommitra and an emergency escape system demonstration, which was successfully tested in 2023. While the timeline has stretched, India is now in the final stages of preparation, and if all goes as planned, we are just one or two years away from realising the dream of an entirely indigenous human spaceflight,” explained Lt Gen AK Bhatt (retd), director general of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), the apex industry body of the Indian space industry.

Originally slated for June 8, Ax-4 will now lift off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida two days later on June 10. It is a collaborative effort between Nasa, the European Space Agency (Esa) and Isro, whose “Gaganyaan programme has now entered its final phase”, as Union MoS for science and technology Jitendra Singh disclosed at a media interaction in New Delhi last month.

Calling it a “historic mission”, Singh underlined that the Gaganyaan programme goes far beyond scientific achievement. “It represents India’s rise as a global space power built on indigenous technology, fiscal prudence, and visionary political leadership,” he said.

“Today, Gaganyaan is not just Isro’s mission. It is India’s mission,” Singh said, noting the vital role played by the private sector and startups following policy reforms initiated by the government.

Today, we are indeed witnessing a resurgence in space exploration driven by the private sector. “With the creation of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), the government has formalised policies to enable private players to access Isro facilities, collaborate on R&D, and eventually build and launch their own systems. Startups like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Bellatrix Aerospace have already demonstrated significant capabilities, from private launch vehicles to propulsion systems, which could eventually support crewed missions,” said Bhatt of ISpA.

Having contributed nearly 80% of the value chain in Isro missions, India’s private space sector is now evolving from a silent enabler to a strategic co-architect of human spaceflight, said Prakash of SIA-India. “With FDI liberalisation, targeted funding like Technology Adoption Fund & a Rs 1,000-crore venture fund, and a thriving startup ecosystem with over 250 space-tech start-ups, the private sector will be central to shaping the next chapter of India’s space journey,” he added.

DIGITAL NEWS DESK – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is poised to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for launch on June 10, 2025, at 8:22 AM EDT (5:52 PM IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

The mission, a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA), marks a significant milestone for India’s space program, positioning Shukla as the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

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Shukla, 39, will serve as the pilot of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched via a Falcon 9 rocket, alongside mission commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The diverse crew, representing India, Poland, and Hungary, underscores the mission’s international scope, the first government-sponsored ISS mission for these nations in over four decades.

During their 14-day stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will conduct approximately 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by Indian institutions. Shukla’s contributions will focus on microgravity research, such as plant growth experiments with methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram), skeletal muscle dysfunction studies, and investigations into cognitive and physiological responses in space. These experiments aim to advance India’s capabilities for long-duration spaceflight, a critical step toward the Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and an Indian space station by 2035.

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“This is not just my journey, but the journey of 1.4 billion Indians,” Shukla said at a recent press conference, where the crew introduced their mascot, a toy swan named “Joy.” Shukla plans to showcase Indian culture by performing yoga in space and documenting his experience to inspire future generations. The mission, costing ISRO 5 billion rupees ($59 million), strengthens India’s global space presence and fosters international collaboration.

A seasoned combat pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience on aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and MiG-21, Shukla was selected by ISRO in 2019 for Gaganyaan training. His preparation included stints at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru, and joint exercises with NASA, SpaceX, ESA, and Japan’s JAXA. Promoted to Group Captain in March 2024, Shukla embodies India’s growing expertise in human spaceflight.

The Ax-4 launch, initially set for May 29, was rescheduled to June 10 due to operational adjustments. The crew entered quarantine on May 25, ensuring readiness for the mission. The launch will be broadcast live on NASA’s platforms starting at 6:15 AM EDT on June 10.

New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are set to embark on the Axiom Space’s fourth human spaceflight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 and are likely to dock at the International Space Station on June 11 at about 10 PM IST, after a nearly 28-hour journey.

Shukla, the mission pilot of the Axiom-4 (Ax4) commercial mission to the ISS, will be accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson and specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland.

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The Axiom-4 mission will mark India’s return to space 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s historic spaceflight onboard Russia’s Soyuz mission in 1984.

“The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 12:30 p.m.EDT (10:00 p.m. IST), Wednesday, June 11,” NASA said in a statement.

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ISRO Chairman V Narayanan visited Axiom Space last week to review the preparations for the spaceflight.

The astronauts have been in quarantine since May 25 to prepare for the trip and have been training ahead of the launch on June 10.

“The #Ax4 crew undergoes extensive emergency training, featuring a range of scenarios such as underwater escape drills,” Axiom Space said in a post on X, and shared a video of the training programme.

During the 14-day stay at the ISS, the Ax-4 crew is expected to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, school students, and space industry leaders among others.

Earlier this week, the crew addressed a press conference to give an update on the training ahead of the launch.

“We are good for the launch, we have completed all the training and the team has bonded well,” Whitson said on Tuesday.

Shukla described the year-long training for the spaceflight as “nothing short of transformative”.

“It has been an amazing journey so far, but the best is yet to come. As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” Shukla said.

Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA.

The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel.

ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program.

It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (Fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions.

Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated into plants not just once but over generations.

Shukla’s experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the Gaganyaan mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch Dragon aircraft for the Axiom-4 mission with India’s Shubhasnshu Shukla and three others onboard it. (Source: SpaceX)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to fly into space as part of the Axiom Space, Ax-4 , mission, marking a significant moment for India’s space programme. It is likely to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 11 at about 10 pm IST, after a journey that is likely to be 28 hours long.

The Ax-4 mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years, stated the official page of the mission. It said that while Ax-4 marks these countries’ second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

“This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally,” it added.

SpaceX Rolls Out Falcon 9 for Historic Mission

SpaceX has rolled out its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft in preparation for the launch. The mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10. The SpaceX Falcon 9 is ready to launch the Dragon spacecraft.

The Dragon spacecraft, which will transport four astronauts, has arrived at the hangar at pad 39A in Florida. The mission aims to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 11 at approximately 10:00 PM IST. This event marks India’s return to space after 41 years, following Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.

Axiom 4 Mission Crew Details

Shubhanshu Shukla , serving as the mission pilot, will be accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut. Also on board are specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. The crew is set to conduct scientific research, outreach programmes, and commercial activities during their stay of up to 14 days on the ISS. The Axiom 4 mission is a collaboration between NASA and ISRO.

Collaboration Between NASA and ISRO

This mission highlights the collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO ). The SpaceX Axiom 4 mission delivers on a commitment to send an ISRO astronaut to the ISS. Both agencies are jointly participating in five science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. The agencies share a vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.

The launch was initially scheduled for June 8 but was postponed to June 10 to account for weather conditions during vehicle transportation and final processing. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom 4 mission aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, launched by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

India’s Return to Space

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ‘s space voyage is particularly significant as it aids India’s space travel programme and the Gaganyaan mission.

The mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station. The Axiom 4 mission represents a step forward for international collaboration in space exploration.

The much-anticipated space mission featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is now on the final countdown. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Dragon spacecraft for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), has been rolled out to the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is targeted for June 10, 2025, at 8:22 am, with a backup window available on Wednesday, June 11.

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This mission marks a milestone as it will be the first flight for this particular Dragon spacecraft. The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, making its second flight after previously supporting a Starlink launch, will attempt a precision landing at Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after stage separation.

The towering Falcon 9 stands vertical at Launch Complex 39A, ready to carry the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The pre-dawn rollout marks the final leg before liftoff for the Ax-4 mission.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, one of four international crew members on board, will be piloting the spacecraft. Trained extensively by SpaceX and Axiom Space, Shukla will supervise launch and docking operations of the fully autonomous vehicle.

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The Dragon spacecraft is seen securely integrated atop Falcon 9.

The 14-day mission to the International Space Station will see the crew conduct over 60 scientific experiments across areas such as human research, Earth observation, and life and material sciences.

Final preparations are underway at the pad as Falcon 9 and Dragon await the launch sequence. The spacecraft will soon embark on its journey.

A live webcast of the mission will begin two hours prior to liftoff.

Published By: Akshat Trivedi Published On: Jun 8, 2025