India’s Giant Leap: Shubhanshu Shukla Heads to the International Space Station, proud moment as  first Indian Astronaut on ISS with Axiom Mission 4

A historic space mission is taking off today, June 25, 2025, and it marks a proud moment for India. For the first time, an Indian astronaut will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a private space mission. His name is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and he is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (also known as Ax-4), organized by the private space company Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX.

This mission is important for many reasons. It is not only a step forward for private space travel, but also a big achievement for India. Shubhanshu Shukla is a pilot from the Indian Air Force and has also trained under ISRO, India’s space agency. He is now becoming the first Indian to visit the ISS, and the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.

The Ax-4 mission will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The astronauts will travel in a Dragon spacecraft, which will take them to the ISS. The launch time is scheduled for 12:01 PM IST. Once launched, it will take about 24 to 30 hours for the crew to reach the space station. They are expected to stay there for about two weeks.

The crew of Ax-4 includes four astronauts from four different countries:

Peggy Whitson (USA) – She is the mission commander and a very experienced astronaut.
Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Serving as the pilot of the mission.
Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Representing Hungary as a mission specialist.
Sławosz Uznanski (Poland) – Representing Poland as a mission specialist.

Shubhanshu Shukla will take part in more than 60 experiments, including seven special projects from India. These include studies on how living things like algae and bacteria grow in space, how to protect muscles and bones in microgravity, and how human vision is affected when people use screens or devices in space. He will also talk to Indian students through live radio sessions, sharing his experiences to inspire the next generation.

The mission had faced some delays. It was first planned for May, but weather conditions and technical checks caused it to be pushed back several times. Now, the final launch is ready, and excitement is building around the world—especially in India.

Read Also:- Timezone’s Largest Flagship Venue Opens at Inorbit Mall Malad

Shubhanshu Shukla comes from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He is a trained test pilot and has flown various fighter jets like the Su-30MKI and MiG-29. He holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. His calm attitude, deep knowledge, and strong training have made him a great choice for this mission. He is also one of the astronauts selected for India’s future Gaganyaan mission, which is expected to launch Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket in the next few years.

As the rocket lifted off today, Shukla proudly said, “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” showing his pride in representing India on a global stage. This moment is being celebrated across the country as a symbol of India’s growing role in space exploration.

The Ax-4 mission is not just about science—it also shows how different countries and private companies can work together. It opens up new possibilities for space travel and research, and it brings India closer to its dream of having regular human spaceflights. This mission will also help gather important information for future long-term stays in space, such as trips to the Moon or Mars. For India, it’s a proud beginning of a new chapter in human sp

Latest News  Supreme News Network 

#shubhanshushukla #axiommission4 #indianastronaut #issmission #indiainspace