Shubhanshu Shukla makes history: First Indian astronaut to pilot axiom mission to ISS | WATCH
Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, has made history as the first Indian astronaut selected to pilot Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station in spring 2025.
In a groundbreaking achievement for India's space exploration efforts, Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer and ISRO astronaut, has been selected as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This mission is scheduled to launch in spring 2025 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking Shukla as the first Indian astronaut to embark on a private mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
A Pioneering Journey into Space
The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, with a crew that includes ESA project astronauts Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The crew is set to spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, where they will conduct scientific research and outreach programs while showcasing international collaboration in space exploration.
Axiom-4 Mission Pilot & Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla talking about what items he will be carrying to space to represent India! 🇮🇳
— Debapratim (@debapratim_) January 30, 2025
ISRO had consulted a university and asked its students from various different regions of India to come up with ideas for items representing all the… pic.twitter.com/dJzBwur17c
Embracing Microgravity and Cultural Exchange
Shubhanshu Shukla expressed his excitement about experiencing microgravity and plans to introduce Indian culture to his fellow astronauts. He aims to take artifacts that represent India’s rich heritage and even hopes to perform yoga postures in space, illustrating the blend of tradition and modernity in this historic venture.
Expanding Horizons for Future Missions
NASA’s ISS Program Manager Dana Weigel emphasized the significance of private astronaut missions like Ax-4 in expanding access to low Earth orbit. This mission not only highlights India's growing role in global space exploration but also sets the stage for future endeavors, including India's Gaganyaan program, which aims to send humans into space.As preparations ramp up for this historic flight, Shukhla's journey symbolizes a new era of international cooperation in space travel and exploration.
