Indian Air Force Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla to Embark on Ax-4 Mission to Space
Ax-4 Mission: This marks a historic and proud moment for India. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an experienced pilot of the Indian Air Force, will be traveling to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Ax-4 mission on June 25, 2025. During his 14-day stay in space, he will conduct Scientific Experiments, Yoga sessions, and showcase Indian Culture. This mission is not only a symbol of international collaboration but also a crucial component of India’s first Human Spaceflight Mission, ‘Gaganyaan’.
India to Receive Second Astronaut
Shubhanshu Shukla will become India’s second astronaut. Prior to this, in 1984, Rakesh Sharma participated in a mission with the Soviet Union. Now, after 41 years, a Indian is going into space, symbolizing India’s new scientific capabilities and advancements in its space program.
Part of the Ax-4 Mission
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Shubhanshu will play a pilot role in Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, a commercial space mission jointly operated by NASA, ISRO, and SpaceX. The mission is scheduled to launch on June 25, 2025.
First Indian Presence on the ISS
This will be the first time a Indian will travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Shubhanshu will spend 14 days on the ISS, participating in scientific research and experiments. This will be a historic achievement for India.
Experienced Pilot of the Indian Air Force
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an experienced test pilot of the Indian Air Force. He has accumulated over 3000 hours of flight experience in fighter aircraft, including the Su-30, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk. He has been trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.
Scientific Experiments to be Conducted in Space
During the mission, Shubhanshu will participate in a total of 12 scientific experiments, including 7 Indian experiments and 5 conducted in collaboration with NASA. The experiments will include the growth of crops like methi and moong in space, the impact of space on the human body, and the study of biological processes in microgravity.
Yoga and a Glimpse of Indian Culture in Space
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Shubhanshu will practice yoga in space and showcase Indian culture. He will be bringing Indian sweets and a special toy duck (Joy Zero Gravity) with him, which will symbolize this mission as it floats in microgravity. This mission will represent not only science but also culture.
Technical Information Regarding the Launch
The mission will be launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule will be utilized. The launch has been postponed seven times due to weather and technical reasons, but is now scheduled for June 25, 2025.
History Made Through Collaboration of Four Nations
The Ax-4 mission includes astronauts from India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary. This mission represents the first time in decades that astronauts from these countries are going into space. It is a testament to international collaboration.
A Significant Step Towards Gaganyaan
The Ax-4 mission’s experience will be extremely crucial for India’s own human space mission ‘Gaganyaan,’ which is scheduled to launch in 2026, sending three Indian astronauts to the Earth’s lower orbit. Shubhanshu’s mission is being viewed as a major success in the direction of this goal.
