Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Embark on Axiom-4 Mission to ISS
April 18, 2025 – Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA's Axiom-4 mission. Scheduled for May 2025, this mission marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey.
Group Captain Shukla, an experienced test pilot with over 2,000 flight hours, was selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the Gaganyaan mission. He will be accompanied by Commander Peggy Whitson from the USA, Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The team will launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Florida.
During the mission, Shukla and his team will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting scientific research and experiments in microgravity. This mission will provide valuable data to support future space endeavors, including India's Gaganyaan mission.
This historic journey underscores India's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge.