Meet India’s Next Space Pioneer: Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Launch Into the History Books With Axiom’s 2025 ISS Mission
Indian Air Force ace Shubhanshu Shukla will make history as Ax-4’s pilot, flying to the ISS and inspiring new space ambitions across India.
- 2nd Indian to fly in space—First since 1984
- Mission Launch: June 10, 2025, 08:22 EDT
- 60+ science experiments—7 from India
- Cost for Indian seat: ₹5 billion ($59 million)
Excitement is skyrocketing in India as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force gears up to pilot the groundbreaking Axiom-4 mission. The mission, blasting off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 10th, will send the 39-year-old ace on a two-week adventure aboard the International Space Station (NASA ISS)—a feat that hasn’t been accomplished by an Indian since the legendary flight of Rakesh Sharma over 41 years ago.
This isn’t just another commercial space flight. With Axiom Space (Axiom Space) assembling a crew from India, Poland, and Hungary, the Ax-4 mission is uniting nations that haven’t seen a citizen in orbit for decades. Commanded by the venerated astronaut Peggy Whitson, whose resume sparkles with hundreds of days in space and ten epic spacewalks, the Ax-4 crew will test boundaries—and make history.
Who Is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shukla’s journey to the stars started with a twist of fate—he applied to the Air Force almost by accident, thanks to a friend’s unused form. Since 2006, he’s amassed over 2,000 hours in the cockpit, flying everything from MiGs to Jaguars. His family beams with pride as he prepares to represent the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians on this unprecedented journey.
Shukla, chosen out of four top Indian pilots for this mission, will also serve as first pilot and second-in-command, crucial for every phase of flight—launch, docking, undocking, and Earth return. He’s spent nearly a year undergoing relentless training and rigorous assessments, both physical and psychological, to prepare for this test of endurance and skill.
What Will the Ax-4 Crew Do in Space?
The international team’s schedule on the ISS is packed. For two weeks, they’ll conduct over 60 scientific experiments—spanning next-gen seed development, microalgae tests for future life support, studies on tardigrades (super-resilient micro-animals), and new research on muscle loss and cognitive performance in zero gravity. Seven of these experiments will come from India’s rapidly advancing space program via ISRO.
One standout experiment lays the groundwork for space farming: Shukla and teammates will monitor growth and resilience in six crop varieties, aiming to propel India’s ambitions for deep-space food production.
Meanwhile, three microalgae strains could unlock new solutions for food, fuel, and breathable air—major leaps toward sustainable off-world living. There’s even a unique study tracking how astronauts’ eyes respond to screens, with insights that could shape the future of cockpit design.
Why Is India Investing in Space Now?
Ax-4 arrives just ahead of an incredible new era for India’s space program. The nation is gearing up for the Gaganyaan mission, targeting a 2027 human flight, and ambitious blueprints include building its own space station by 2035 and putting an astronaut on the Moon by 2040. In December, India will even send a humanoid robot into orbit as a precursor to crewed missions.
By sending Shukla to the ISS now, India—already an emerging space power—is tapping into international expertise and gaining critical training that will fast-track its own homegrown astronauts. The $59 million investment secures a front-row lesson in operations, collaboration, and scientific research for future missions.
Q&A: What Makes This Space Mission a Milestone?
Is this India’s first space mission?
No—the milestone honors Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 spaceflight, but Shukla will be the first Indian on the ISS, marking a new era of collaboration and technology transfer.
How can students connect with the mission?
ISRO is organizing live Q&A sessions, giving students across India a front-row seat to watch and interact with Shubhanshu Shukla while he orbits hundreds of kilometers above Earth, sparking the imagination of the next generation.
How does the Ax-4 mission impact future commercial spaceflight?
Missions like Ax-4, operated by private companies like Axiom Space and using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 (SpaceX), are fast-tracking humanity’s path to regular, accessible orbit travel and international research partnerships.
How Will Shukla Inspire India’s Next Generation?
Shukla’s journey resonates with young Indians—demonstrating that space dreams are within reach, regardless of how humble the beginning. ISRO and Ax-4 crew’s outreach throughout the mission will fuel new passion for science, tech, and exploration.
Don’t miss the launch—witness history in the making. Track the mission, join ISRO’s events, and get inspired by India’s new space hero!
- 🗸 Watch the launch live on NASA and ISRO’s official channels
- 🗸 Join ISRO’s virtual Q&A for students
- 🗸 Follow updates on NASA, ISRO, and Axiom Space
- 🗸 Explore careers in space science and technology
