India is set to make space history next month as it sends its first astronaut in over four decades on an international space mission. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission, scheduled for May 2025.
The announcement was made on Friday by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and in charge of the Department of Space. The mission marks a significant milestone for India, as Shukla will become the first Indian to visit the ISS and the first Indian astronaut in space since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s legendary journey aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.
“This mission will mark the visit of the first Indian ever to the International Space Station and the first Indian astronaut to travel to space in over four decades,” said Singh, highlighting the importance of the moment for India’s growing role in global space exploration.
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the mission underscores India’s deepening international space partnerships and its commitment to advancing scientific frontiers through collaboration.
A statement from the Department of Space described the upcoming flight as a major step forward in India’s space ambitions and a testament to its increasing presence in global space missions.
Group Captain Shukla has undergone extensive training for the mission and is expected to carry out scientific experiments and collaborative research during his stay aboard the ISS. His mission with Axiom Space’s Ax-4 crew will also symbolize India’s evolving role in the commercial and cooperative space sector.
