Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is ready to go on an important journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom journey-4 (Ax-4). It will leave from NASA\’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 PM IST on June 25. Their trip to space will take 14 days and be made possible by SpaceX\’s Falcon 9 rocket.
Exclusive: Axiom-4 मिशन पर जाने वाले अंतरिक्ष यात्रियों की मिशन से पहले की तस्वीर आई सामने#Axiom4 | #ShubhanshuShukla | #Space | #NASA pic.twitter.com/qSHBgGjUqE
— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) June 25, 2025
Coming Back to Space After 41 Years
After Rakesh Sharma\’s 1984 trip, Shukla\’s mission is the first time an Indian has been to space since then. Along with Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut, and astronauts from Poland and Hungary, he is part of a four-person international team.
#WATCH | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla\’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, says, “…His mission is all set to launch around 12 noon IST. We are very eager to see the launch of his mission. We are delighted. Our blessings are with him, and we also pray to God for his mission to be… https://t.co/S7TZmuadww pic.twitter.com/E1pZMgw2dI
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2025
Their Dragon capsule will dock with the ISS on June 26. This will start a two-week program of scientific study, experiments in zero gravity, and working together with people around the world.
#WATCH | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla\’s mother, Asha Shukla, says, “It is a moment of pride for us and everyone else. Posters are being put up everywhere. Everyone is delighted that a man from this country, this Triveni Nagar, is going to soar so high…We are sending all our… https://t.co/S7TZmuadww pic.twitter.com/eqVXTDPthv
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2025
Waiting and Making Decisions: Getting Past Technical Problems
The mission was supposed to happen earlier this month, but it had to be pushed back because of bad weather, a liquid oxygen leak, and a problem with the Zvezda module on the ISS. But now that everything has been checked carefully, everything is fine. SpaceX says the launch window is 90% good.
Lucknow Parents Celebrate with Pride and Blessings
In Lucknow, Shukla\’s parents are very happy and proud of their country. Anil Shukla, his father, said, “We are putting up posters. It\’s a proud moment for Uttar Pradesh and India.” His mother, Asha Shukla, told her daughter-in-law how much she appreciated her being a strong support. She also did a traditional “dahi-cheeni” (curd-sugar) ceremony for her son online to bless him.
When Shubhanshu was feeling down before leaving, he told his parents, “Just wait for me; I\’m coming back.”
Taking Indian Culture to the world
Not only is Shukla executing his scientific responsibilities, but he is also taking a little bit of India with him. He carried mango syrup, moong dal halwa, and carrot halwa to the ISS and shared it. To show respect, he is also carrying a special gift for Rakesh Sharma, India\’s first astronaut.
A Step Towards Gaganyaan and Beyond
This project strengthens India\’s presence in space globally and sets ISRO up for Gaganyaan, for which Shukla has been selected as well. Axiom-4, with the support of NASA and ESA, demonstrates the potential of private and public partnerships in space.
