Indian Captain to Embark on Axiom-04 Mission to Space
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, who was a part of the Gaganyaan mission, is now taking another step towards space. On June 25, 2025, Captain Shukla will depart for the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom-04 mission, launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission will make him the first Indian to travel to space since 1984.
Axiom-04 Mission: An International Partnership
The Ax-04 mission is being conducted in partnership between ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. It will send four astronauts to the ISS. In addition to Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission also includes mission commander Peggy Whitson, Slavosh Volkov-Visnevski, and Tibor Kapitány. All astronauts will participate in scientific and technical experiments on the space station.
Shubhanshu Shukla: Experience and Preparation
Shubhanshu Shukla, originally from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was born on October 10, 1985. He joined the Indian Air Force in June 2006 and served as a fighter pilot. He has over 2,000 hours of flying experience and has flown various combat aircraft, including Su-30, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, and Dornier.
In 2019, Captain Shukla completed a one-year space training course at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. On February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi nominated him for the Gaganyaan mission.
Mission Inclusion at the Last Minute
Captain Shukla revealed that he only learned about his inclusion in the Ax-04 mission a week before traveling to Florida. He expressed immense joy upon receiving the news, stating that he had been eagerly awaiting this opportunity for a long time. This was his first chance to travel to space.
Shubhanshu Aspires to Inspire Indian Youth
Captain Shukla is incredibly excited about his participation in the mission. He believes this experience is particularly special and wants to use it to inspire young people in India. He states that if his story can help change even one person’s perspective, that would be his greatest success.
Mission Commander Praises Shukla
Ax-04 mission commander Peggy Whitson praised Captain Shukla, stating that she is proud to have him as a pilot in the Dragon capsule. Captain Shukla possesses excellent technical and operational experience, and his capabilities will be highly beneficial to the mission.
Launch and Destination Schedule
The Ax-04 mission is scheduled to launch on June 25, 2025, at 12:00 PM (Indian Standard Time). In US time, the launch will be at 2:31 AM. The mission will be transported to the International Space Station using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The astronauts will arrive at the ISS at 4:30 PM on June 26.