Is Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Ready for His Space Journey on June 8?
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Synopsis
Excitement builds as Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for a historic journey to the ISS. Delayed to June 8, this mission marks a significant milestone in commercial space travel and international collaboration. Join us in following this groundbreaking event!
Key Takeaways
- Shubhanshu Shukla is set to be the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS.
- The Ax-4 mission is a landmark collaboration between NASA and ISRO.
- The launch has been rescheduled to June 8 due to logistical adjustments.
- Shukla's mission emphasizes international cooperation in space exploration.
- Experiments will focus on technologies for future space stations.
New Delhi, May 15 (NationPress) The US-based firm Axiom Space announced on Thursday a postponement of its Mission-4 (Ax-4), which is set to send astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla into space, marking him as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
The launch, originally scheduled for May 29, will now take place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 8 at 9:11 a.m. ET (6:41 p.m. IST), as confirmed by the company.
Shukla, who will serve as the mission's pilot, is joined by Commander Peggy Whitson (US), mission specialist Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and mission specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
“Ax-4 signifies a crucial milestone in the evolution of commercial human spaceflight. For the first time in history, astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will embark on a government-sponsored mission to the ISS, with each nation returning to human spaceflight after over forty years,” stated Axiom.
NASA confirmed the delay, indicating that the rescheduling is necessary to facilitate “launch opportunities for several upcoming missions.”
“The schedule changes allow additional time to finalize mission plans, ensure spacecraft readiness, and manage logistics,” NASA added in a post on social media platform X.
Shukla’s journey into space, aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, comes four decades after Rakesh Sharma's historic spaceflight aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.
He was selected for the astronaut program by ISRO in 2019, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement in 2018 from the Red Fort, promising that an Indian would travel to space soon.
In January 2025, the 39-year-old astronaut was appointed as the pilot for the Ax-4 mission, a partnership between NASA and ISRO.
“During the transit, I will function as the mission pilot, collaborating with the vehicle's commander, managing systems, navigating the vehicle, and analyzing all available data, ready to intervene if necessary,” Shukla previously shared with IANS.
While aboard, he will engage in experiments aimed at advancing technologies for building Axiom’s own space station, as well as studying the impacts of microgravity on cyanobacteria—a type of bacteria that has an anaerobic pathway.
“We are investigating how effectively cyanobacteria can function in microgravity and their potential use in future missions to create an oxygen-rich environment for the crew,” Shukla explained.
Point of View
It is clear that the collaboration between India, the US, Poland, and Hungary showcases the growing importance of international partnerships in advancing human spaceflight. With Shubhanshu Shukla leading the charge as the first Indian astronaut to the ISS, this mission not only honors the legacy of Rakesh Sharma but also ignites hope for future generations in the realm of space science.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Shubhanshu Shukla's launch to the ISS?
Shubhanshu Shukla's launch is scheduled for June 8 at 9:11 a.m. ET (6:41 p.m. IST).
What is the significance of the Ax-4 mission?
The Ax-4 mission is significant as it marks the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will participate in a government-sponsored mission to the ISS.
Who else is part of the Ax-4 mission?
In addition to Shubhanshu Shukla, the crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson from the US and mission specialists Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
What role will Shubhanshu Shukla have during the mission?
Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the mission pilot, managing systems and navigating the spacecraft.
What experiments will be conducted during the mission?
The mission will involve experiments to explore the effects of microgravity on cyanobacteria and technologies for building Axiom's own space station.
