The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), an international spaceflight carrying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled to launch on May 29, PTI reports. With this, Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Shubhanshu Shukla: Pioneering India’s Space Exploration
This is organized as a collaborative effort between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Axiom-4 marks a significant milestone in India’s space journey, and Shukla will serve as the mission’s pilot, joining three other international astronauts for a two-week mission aboard the ISS.
Following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut, who flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 in 1984, Shukla’s mission will further elevate India’s presence in human spaceflight.
It also represents a momentous occasion for Poland and Hungary, both of which are returning to human spaceflight after more than four decades.
The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, both serving as mission specialists.
The team will spend up to 14 days in low-Earth orbit, conducting a range of scientific experiments, educational outreach, and commercial initiatives aboard the ISS.
Axiom Space described the mission as a landmark in global space collaboration, stating it “redefines the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevates national space programs globally.”
The Ax-4 launch is expected to not only reinforce India’s growing capabilities in space exploration but also strengthen international partnerships in science and innovation.
