Shubhanshu Shukla with team members (Social Media)
International News: A historic moment for India and a significant leap in space science is about to unfold. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 25, as part of the much-anticipated Axiom Mission-4. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the United States space agency NASA.
This landmark mission marks not just India’s advancement in space exploration, but also signifies the return of Hungary and Poland to outer space. The mission is a collaborative effort between NASA, SpaceX, and private aerospace firm Axiom Space. It will be Axiom’s fourth private mission to the International Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the pilot on this mission—a role that brings immense pride to the Indian space community. Leading the crew will be Peggy Whitson, a veteran American astronaut, who will act as Mission Commander. The crew also includes Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slavosh Ujnanski-Vyasnievski from Poland, both of whom will serve as Mission Specialists.
Originally, the launch of Axiom-4 was scheduled for May 29, but it was delayed due to technical issues—such as a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 rocket and malfunctions in the Russian module of the ISS.
Subsequent launch windows on June 8, 10, 11, 19, and 22 were also postponed due to ongoing safety inspections and the review of repair operations at the ISS.
NASA has now officially confirmed that Axiom Mission-4 will launch on June 25 at 12:01 AM (Indian Standard Time). The lift-off will take place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
The mission will use SpaceX’s advanced Dragon spacecraft, which will be launched aboard a Falcon-9 rocket. According to NASA, the spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station on June 26 at 4:30 PM IST. After docking, the crew will remain aboard the station for a duration, conducting various scientific experiments and research activities.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in Axiom-4 is more than just a personal milestone—it’s a national achievement that adds a proud new chapter to India’s space exploration narrative. This mission not only highlights India’s growing capabilities in space but also symbolizes its increasing role in global scientific collaboration.
More importantly, it demonstrates that India is contributing to space exploration not just through governmental agencies like ISRO, but now also through private astronauts participating in international missions—a step forward in asserting India’s position as a rising space power.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
