India Makes History: Shubhanshu Shukla Leads Axiom Mission 4 to ISS with NASA and SpaceX

India marked a significant milestone in space exploration as Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut, embarked on the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 25, 2025. The mission, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket, is a collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, SpaceX, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Shubhanshu Shukla serves as the pilot of the mission, alongside commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from the European Space Agency and Tibor Kapu from Hungary's HUNOR program. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS today, June 26, at approximately 4:30 PM IST.

This mission marks a historic return for India to human spaceflight after more than 40 years since Rakesh Sharma's journey in 1984. The Axiom Mission 4 underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in advancing space exploration and India's growing presence in space.

As the mission progresses, it symbolizes not only Shukla's dedication but also India's evolving capabilities in space exploration. The launch received a 90% favorable weather forecast, ensuring a successful liftoff.

Shubhanshu Shukla's participation in this mission is a testament to India's commitment to space exploration and its increasing role among global space powers.