Shubhanshu Shukla To Make History As India’s Second Astronaut In Space Aboard Axiom-4 Mission

Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian to travel to space, as the Axiom-4 mission prepares for liftoff on June 19 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with ISRO, NASA, and SpaceX, marks a significant milestone in India’s return to human spaceflight after more than four decades.  

 

Key Highlights Of The Axiom-4 Mission  

- Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the pilot on the 14-day mission to the International Space Station.  

- The crew includes Mission Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).  

- The mission will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket.  

- Originally scheduled for May 29, the launch was delayed multiple times due to a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 and a pressure anomaly in the ISS’s Zvezda module.  

 

India’s Return To Human Spaceflight  

- Shukla’s flight marks India’s first crewed space mission since Rakesh Sharma’s historic journey in 1984.  

- The mission symbolizes India’s growing role in commercial space exploration and international collaboration.  

- ISRO has played a key role in coordinating with Axiom Space and SpaceX to ensure mission readiness.  

 

Scientific Objectives And Mission Scope  

- The Axiom-4 crew will conduct over 60 experiments during their stay aboard the ISS, focusing on microgravity, life sciences, and technology demonstrations.  

- The mission aims to advance research in areas such as diabetes, materials science, and space medicine.  

- The flight will also serve as a precursor to future commercial missions and space station modules led by Axiom Space.  

 

Global Significance And Legacy  

- The mission represents the first government-sponsored human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary in over 40 years.  

- Shukla’s participation is expected to inspire a new generation of Indian scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts.  

- The launch underscores the increasing role of private space companies in enabling international access to low-Earth orbit.  

 

Sources: Business Standard, Indian Express, News18, ISRO, MSN News.