In a proud moment for the nation, India is celebrating the successful launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) space mission, marking a significant milestone in its space journey. The mission, which lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 PM IST on Wednesday, includes Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as its pilot — making him only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s historic voyage in 1984. Notably, Shukla is now set to become the first Indian to ever visit NASA’s orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station (ISS).
The Axiom-4 mission is a collaborative effort involving NASA, India’s space agency ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. Operated by Houston-based private firm Axiom Space, the commercial mission features a four-member international crew. Alongside Shukla, the team includes former NASA astronaut and mission commander Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. For both Poland and Hungary, the mission also marks a return to space after more than four decades.
Shukla’s participation in this mission has generated immense excitement in India, especially as the country prepares for its own maiden human spaceflight in 2027. The 39-year-old fighter pilot from Lucknow was one of four Indian Air Force officers selected for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. His space experience through Axiom-4 is expected to significantly contribute to ISRO’s human spaceflight readiness. To secure his seat and training with Axiom Space, ISRO has invested ₹500 crore (approximately $59 million).
Within minutes of liftoff, Shukla sent a powerful message back to Earth: “We’re back in space after 41 years and what an amazing ride it’s been. This is not the start of my journey to the ISS — this is the beginning of India’s human spaceflight. I welcome all my fellow Indians to be a part of this journey and feel proud and excited.”
The launch has inspired nationwide celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mission, noting that Shukla carries the “wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.” In his hometown of Lucknow, hundreds gathered to witness the historic launch live, with his parents receiving a warm welcome from students and faculty, as applause and music filled the air.
Born in 1985, Group Captain Shukla joined the Indian Air Force in 2006. With over 2,000 flying hours on aircraft like MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks, he brings deep aviation expertise to this mission. Describing the past year as “nothing short of transformative,” Shukla expressed that he carries with him not just equipment, but “the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”
During his two-week stay on the ISS, Shukla and his team will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, seven of which are from India. These include ISRO-led studies on microalgae growth in space, the impact of space travel on crop seeds, and the behavior of tardigrades in microgravity. There are also experiments aimed at understanding muscle loss and the cognitive effects of screen exposure in space.
ISRO has announced special programs for student engagement, with plans for Shukla to interact with young Indians directly from space. A live conversation with Prime Minister Modi is also being considered.
The Axiom-4 mission not only revives India’s presence in space but also strengthens its ambitions of establishing a space station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. With Shukla’s groundbreaking journey, India’s dreams of leading in human space exploration have taken a firm leap forward.
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