In a landmark moment for India’s space journey, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is set to become the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), serving as the pilot of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Scheduled for launch on June 10 at 08:22 EDT (17:52 IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mission marks a new chapter in India’s expanding presence in space exploration.
Group Captain Shukla, 39, will be the second Indian to ever travel to space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Unlike Sharma’s eight-day stint, Shukla and his multinational crew will spend two weeks aboard the ISS, carrying out over 60 scientific experiments—including seven led by India.
A Diverse Crew Led by a Space Veteran
The Ax-4 mission is spearheaded by Peggy Whitson, a legendary former NASA astronaut who has commanded the ISS twice and completed 10 spacewalks. Joining her, besides Group Captain Shukla, are Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary—both representing their nations in space after over four decades.
Whitson affirmed the crew’s preparedness, stating, “We are good for the launch, we have completed all the training and the team has bonded well.” A small white toy swan named “Joy” will also accompany the crew as a symbolic fifth member.
A Journey Decades in the Making
Group Captain Shukla, born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, has served in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot since 2006. With over 2,000 hours of flying experience across aircraft such as MiGs, Sukhois, Jaguars, and Hawks, he was among four officers shortlisted in 2023 for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission—Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2027.
In an emotional press conference, Shukla said, “As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts. I request all Indians to pray for the success of our mission.”
His sister, Shuchi Mishra, shared that his entry into the Air Force was “accidental” after he filled out a form meant for a friend who was overage for the NDA entrance. “We feel privileged and proud that he’s been chosen out of India’s 1.4 billion people,” she said.
A Global Collaboration
Ax-4 is a commercial mission operated by Houston-based Axiom Space and represents a collaborative effort between NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA). The flight will be launched aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket.
ISRO has invested ₹5 billion (approximately $59 million) to secure Shukla’s seat and training. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan described the mission as a game-changer: “The benefit we will get from this mission is phenomenal in terms of training, exposure, and joint experimentation.”
ISRO’s Project Director Sudeesh Balan added that Shukla has been in intensive training since August 2024, including rigorous physical and psychological evaluations.
Science at the Heart of the Mission
While aboard the ISS, the crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including seven Indian-led projects designed to push the frontiers of space research. According to former NASA scientist Mila Mitra, these include:
Studying the effect of spaceflight on six varieties of crop seeds to explore how crops can be cultivated in space.
Experimenting with three strains of microalgae that could serve as food, fuel, or life-support materials in space.
Investigating the behavior of tardigrades—extremely resilient micro-animals—to understand how they reproduce and survive in microgravity.
Researching muscle loss and possible treatments in space conditions.
Evaluating the cognitive and physiological effects of using computer screens in microgravity, which could influence future spacecraft interface design.
To inspire the next generation, ISRO is also planning live student interactions with Group Captain Shukla during his time aboard the ISS.
A Prelude to India’s Space Future
Shukla’s mission comes at a pivotal time for India’s space ambitions. With the Gaganyaan human spaceflight on the horizon in 2027, plans for an Indian space station by 2035, and a crewed Moon mission by 2040, the Ax-4 mission is more than symbolic—it is strategic.
“This is a unique and exciting opportunity for India,” said ISRO officials. “The experience Group Captain Shukla gains will significantly inform and enhance our future human space missions.”
As India looks skyward, Group Captain Shukla’s journey is a powerful testament to the country’s rising space aspirations. And as he ventures beyond Earth, he takes with him the dreams of a billion people—and the promise of many more journeys to come.
