Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set for Historic Space Mission

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to embark on a landmark space journey aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for launch on June 10, 2025. The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Dragon spacecraft, has been rolled out to Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will mark the first flight for this particular Dragon spacecraft.

Shukla, one of four international astronauts on the mission, has undergone extensive training with SpaceX and Axiom Space. He will pilot the fully autonomous spacecraft, overseeing launch and docking operations with the International Space Station (ISS).

The 14-day mission will include over 60 scientific experiments focused on human physiology, Earth observation, and materials science. The mission’s success is critical to expanding India's participation in international space exploration and demonstrates the country’s growing prominence in the global aerospace sector.

This mission is also notable for being the first time this specific Falcon 9 booster—previously used in a Starlink launch—will attempt a second landing at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral. Final preparations are underway, and a live webcast will begin two hours prior to launch.

The Ax-4 mission represents a significant step in India's astronaut program, placing Shukla among a select group of Indian spacefarers. His participation also highlights growing collaboration between India and private space firms like SpaceX and Axiom Space.

With the countdown underway, India is watching closely as Shukla prepares for liftoff. His success could open new avenues for international missions and greater Indian representation in space science, enhancing the nation’s ambitions for crewed missions in the near future.