In a historic moment for India and global space exploration, Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to launch into space today as part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Captain Shukla becomes the first Indian in over four decades to embark on a space mission, following in the footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who made history in 1984 as the first Indian to travel to space.
Accompanied by three international crew members, Shukla will participate in a mission led by private space firm Axiom Space, which collaborates with NASA to expand commercial human spaceflight. The Axiom-4 mission aims to conduct research, technology demonstrations, and international collaboration aboard the ISS.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Indian Air Force, extended his congratulations and best wishes to Group Captain Shukla, calling it a proud moment not only for the Air Force but for the entire nation.
“Group Captain Shukla carries with him the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. His courage and dedication reflect the spirit of a new India in space exploration,” the Air Chief Marshal said in a statement.
Shukla’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission is the result of extensive training and coordination between Indian defense and space institutions and global partners. His mission marks India’s resurgence on the global spaceflight stage and opens the door for more collaboration in the growing domain of commercial space travel.
The launch is scheduled for the early hours of Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (IST), and will be broadcast live by NASA and Axiom Space.
