Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to embark on the Axiom-4 mission, scheduled for launch on Wednesday, June 25, at 12:01 PM (IST). Despite previous delays, SpaceX confirmed favorable launch conditions. This mission holds special significance for India due to the participation of Group Captain Shukla, who will pilot the Ax-4 mission. He is also one of the four astronauts selected for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.
Shukla, who was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 10, 1985, and commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006, is excited to pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS). He has extensive flight experience, with 2,000 hours logged on aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
He underwent a year-long training program at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow, Russia, starting in 2019. In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized Shukla as one of the astronauts training for India’s Gaganyaan mission.
In a video shared by the Ax-4 mission, Shukla expressed his enthusiasm for the spaceflight opportunity. He was informed about his selection a week before the mission and was incredibly happy. Shukla emphasized the exceptional bond with his crewmates, anticipating a lifelong friendship.
Reflecting on his journey, Shukla views his participation as an amazing experience and aims to inspire an entire generation in India. He desires to spark curiosity among children and believes that having a positive impact on even one life would mark a significant success.
Ax-4 Mission Commander, Peggy Whitson, praised Shukla’s operational abilities and his expertise in spacecraft technologies.