Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Launch from Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla: Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A is the place in the world of space from where Neil Armb departed for the moon in 1969. Now, on June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will embark on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from this historic site. This mission is historic for India and will be a symbol of India’s b presence in space exploration.
What is the Historical Significance of Launch Pad 39A?
Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island in Florida, USA, and was established by NASA in 1962 for its space missions. Launch Pad 39 has two sections – 39A and 39B. This is the place from which the world’s most important space missions have been carried out.
Apollo 11 and the First Step on the Moon
On July 16, 1969, Launch Pad 39A launched the Apollo 11 mission. Under this mission, Neil Armb, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins departed for the moon. Armb said upon taking the first step on the moon, “This is a small step for a man, but a giant leap for mankind.” This moment added a new chapter to human history.
The Beginning and End of the Space Shuttle Era
After 1973, missions such as Skylab and the Apollo-Soyuz missions began from this launch pad. Subsequently, from 1981 to 2011, NASA launched its 135 Space Shuttle missions from here. Important shuttles such as Discovery, Atlantis, and Challenger departed for space from here.
SpaceX Revitalizes Launch Pad 39A
In 2008, SpaceX leased Launch Pad 39A and adapted it for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. Now, it has become a major center for modern private space missions.
Shubhanshu Shukla: India’s New Face in Space
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will embark on the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station on June 25, 2025, from this very Launch Pad 39A. The mission will begin at 12:01 PM Indian Standard Time.
Key Highlights of the Ax-4 Mission
This is a private space mission, jointly operated by Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. Shubhanshu will be the pilot on this mission. He will be accompanied by mission commander Peggy Whitson (former NASA astronaut), Polish astronaut Slawomij Ujni, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu.
28-Hour Space Journey
The journey will be made via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which will be launched by the Falcon 9 rocket. It will take the Dragon approximately 28 hours to reach the ISS. During this time, the spacecraft will undergo processes such as orbital adjustments, docking, and safety checks.
14-Day Special Mission on the ISS
Shubhanshu will spend 14 days on the space station. During this time, he will conduct experiments with seven Indian and five NASA scientists. These include research on the effects of space on the human body, the cultivation of Indian food ingredients such as mung beans and fenugreek, and yoga research in space. In addition, he will take with him special sweets and a toy duck (jolly) to represent Indian culture.
Modern Features of Launch Pad 39A
This launch pad is not only historic but also equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Here, the Crawler-Transporter machine transports the rocket from assembly to the launch pad. This machine is capable of lifting up to 3,000 tons. The launch tower helps fuel, assemble the payload, and launch the Falcon 9 rocket. There is also an emergency egress system here, which can safely evacuate the astronauts in case of an emergency.
