The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a joint endeavor by NASA, ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, will feature Shubhanshu Shukla as the first astronaut from ISRO to travel to the International Space Station. The mission is set to launch on June 10, 2025.
This mission is a direct result of the collaborative efforts between India and the United States, further cementing their partnership in space exploration.
The launch will take place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The scheduled launch time is 8:22 am local time. The Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on June 11.
The crew will be led by Peggy Whitson, with Shubhanshu Shukla playing a crucial role as pilot. The mission will also include astronauts from Poland and Hungary. The crew plans to stay on the ISS for approximately two weeks, conducting scientific research, educational outreach, and commercial operations.
Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force Test Pilot, completed his schooling at the City Montessori School. He earned a degree in Computer Science from the National Defence Academy in 2005 and has approximately 2,000 hours of flight experience.
NASA and ISRO have also planned two joint science experiments and five space technology-based educational programs.