 "A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches carrying Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander as the primary payload and Japan-based ispace's Resilience lander as a secondary payload. Reuters/File Photo")
After several delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla finally took off to the International Space Station on Wednesday, along with three other astronauts, on board SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.
Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Shukla is aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft , which launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida — the same site from where Neil Armstrong began his Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969.
Shukla’s launch marks a historic moment for India, as he becomes the second Indian to reach space — four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew on a Soviet mission in 1984. He had been in quarantine for over a month to ensure he remained healthy before the mission.
Joining him on the Axiom-4 mission are Polish specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, Hungarian specialist Tibor Kapu, and American Commander Peggy Whitson.
The four astronauts are headed to the International Space Station for a two-week stay, during which they will carry out 60 scientific experiments — seven of them proposed by Indian researchers.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsShukla is also expected to interact with a VIP while in orbit.
Breakthrough after multiple delays
The Axiom-4 launch faced multiple delays due to weather conditions and technical issues. The successful launch on 25 June marked the sixth scheduled attempt announced by NASA.
Shukla is accompanied on the mission by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who serves as the commander, along with mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
The Axiom-4 mission marks a return to space not only for India, but also for Poland and Hungary.
Shubhanshu hopes his journey will inspire a new generation
Before departing for the International Space Station (ISS), Shubhanshu Shukla — a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — said he hopes his journey will inspire a new generation, just as Rakesh Sharma did when he became the first Indian in space.
“It’s been an incredible journey. Being part of something bigger than yourself is truly special. I feel extremely fortunate. Through this mission, I hope to inspire young people in India and spark curiosity among children. If my story can change even one life, it will be a tremendous success for me,” Shukla said in a YouTube video shared by the Ax-4 mission team.
He revealed that he only learned of his selection a week before arriving at Axiom Space. “I was thrilled and couldn’t believe I’d get the chance to fly to space. It was hard to even process,” he added.
Next stop is ISRO’s Gaganyaan
Shukla is one of the four astronauts selected for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.
He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2006 as a fighter pilot. A skilled combat leader and experienced test pilot, he has logged over 2,000 flying hours on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.