Proud Moment for India: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Blasts Off to Space Aboard Axiom-4 Mission

Florida/New Delhi, June 26: In a historic moment for India and global space exploration, the Axiom-4 mission was successfully launched on Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, marking a proud milestone as he becomes only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984.

The Axiom-4 mission is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS), jointly organized by Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. The launch was delayed multiple times but finally lifted off successfully, drawing global attention and national pride.

Group Captain Shukla, selected by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), serves as the pilot of the mission. He is accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson—former NASA astronaut and now Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space—alongside two mission specialists: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from the European Space Agency (ESA) representing Poland, and Tibor Kapu, selected under Hungary’s HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) programme.

According to Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission marks a return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, each of which is sending a government-sponsored astronaut into space for the first time in over four decades. While this is only the second human spaceflight for all three nations, it is the first time these countries will be represented together aboard the ISS.

The success of this mission not only celebrates India’s growing role in international space collaboration but also highlights the increasing involvement of private players in space exploration.

The Ax-4 crew is expected to conduct scientific research, educational outreach, and technical demonstrations during their stay aboard the ISS, further strengthening global ties in science and technology.