India’s First Astronaut to Fly to ISS on Axiom Mission 4

New Delhi, April 3, 2025 – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as India’s first astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The mission, scheduled for May 2025, is a major milestone for India’s space program and strengthens global space partnerships.

A Proud Moment for India

Shukla, an experienced Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, will serve as the mission pilot aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. His journey is a step forward for private astronaut missions and aligns with India’s Gaganyaan program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space in the future.

The Ax-4 crew will be led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, along with mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The team will stay on the ISS for 14 days, conducting scientific research, educational programs, and commercial experiments in microgravity.

Bringing India’s Culture to Space

Besides his scientific work, Shukla will also carry Indian artifacts and even practice yoga in space to showcase India’s rich heritage. His journey follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut who traveled to space in 1984 aboard Soyuz T-11.

International Space Collaboration

The mission highlights growing global partnerships, with NASA, ISRO, and Axiom Space working together to make space more accessible. This collaboration is expected to boost future commercial space missions and pave the way for long-term space exploration.

Expressing his excitement, Shukla stated,

“Even though I am the one traveling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion Indians.”

With the Ax-4 launch approaching, excitement is building as India moves closer to a new era of human spaceflight.