Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to join the International Space Station (ISS). His upcoming mission aboard Axiom Space’s Ax-4, launching on June 10, 2025, marks a major milestone in India’s space ambitions, paving the way for the country’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, in 2027.
1. Mission Overview and Strategic Importance
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Shukla will pilot the Ax-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight launching from Kennedy Space Center, Florida aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
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His mission is seen as a stepping stone for India’s future human spaceflight programs, including Gaganyaan.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has called this a “defining chapter” in India’s space journey.
2. Training and Preparation
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Shukla trained at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 2020, alongside three other astronaut hopefuls.
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He later underwent advanced training at ISRO’s astronaut facility in Bengaluru, preparing for microgravity conditions and space operations.
3. India’s Expanding Space Ambitions
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India has invested over $60 million in the Ax-4 mission, reinforcing its commitment to space exploration.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans to send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
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ISRO is set to launch an uncrewed orbital mission later this year, ahead of its first human spaceflight in 2027.
4. Future Outlook and Global Collaboration
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Shukla’s mission is expected to provide invaluable insights for India’s future space programs.
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His journey symbolizes India’s growing role in global space exploration, strengthening collaborations with NASA and private space firms.
Sources: Phys.org,, India Today