India’s Shubhanshu Shukla to Blast Off For Space Station Today, Weather Conditions Favourable
The Axiom-4 mission, including Indian Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to take off in a few hours' time. Image courtesy: X.com/@Axiom_Space
After a series of technical and weather-related delays, the Axiom Mission 4 is finally set to launch on Wednesday (June 25) carrying Indian astronaut and Air Force fighter pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other international crew members to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is historic, marking the first time an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut will reach the ISS.
Here’s what to know about this high-profile commercial mission.
When and where is the launch taking place?
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the mission is scheduled to lift off at 12:01 pm IST on Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The crew will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, travelling in a new Dragon spacecraft. If all goes according to plan, docking at the ISS is expected around 4:30 pm IST on Thursday (June 26).
Who is commanding the mission, and what is Shukla’s role?
The mission will be led by Peggy Whitson, a veteran astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a test pilot from ISRO, will serve as the pilot. The mission specialists are Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a Polish astronaut representing the European Space Agency (ESA), and Tibor Kapu, the first Hungarian astronaut under the HUNOR program.
Why was the mission delayed multiple times?
The Axiom-4 mission has faced several launch postponements. Initial delays were caused by inclement weather, followed by electrical harness issues with the Dragon spacecraft and later by leaks in both the Falcon 9 rocket and a Russian module aboard the ISS. NASA and Russian space agency Roscosmos have since resolved those issues, especially a recent repair in the aft section of the Zvezda service module.
What is the significance of India’s participation in this mission?
This marks ISRO’s first human spaceflight mission to the ISS, fulfilling a bilateral commitment announced during talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shukla’s flight represents a major leap in India’s ambitions in human space exploration and commercial space partnerships.
NASA officials emphasized the value of ongoing NASA-ISRO cooperation, with Acting Administrator Janet Petro stating the agencies “have a long history of cooperation” that enabled a shared technical path forward for this launch.
What will the astronauts do aboard the ISS?
The Axiom Mission 4 crew plans to spend around two weeks aboard the ISS, engaging in scientific research, educational outreach, and commercial demonstrations. NASA and ISRO are collaborating on five science investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations, aiming to advance future missions and public engagement in space science.
With weather forecasts showing 90% favourable launch conditions, mission managers are hopeful that Axiom-4 will proceed as scheduled and mark another milestone in commercial and international human spaceflight.
