Shubhanshu Shukla to Lift Off Today, Marking a New Chapter in India’s Space Story

Shubhanshu Shukla Set for Maiden Spaceflight, Aims to Put India on Crewed Space Map.

In a landmark moment for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated test pilot in the Indian Air Force, is set to lift off today on his first journey to space. The mission, Axiom Space’s Ax-4, will carry Shukla and three international crewmates to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day science expedition.

Shukla — introduced last year by PM Narendra Modi as an astronaut-designate for India’s Gaganyaan programme — will serve as pilot aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch atop a Falcon-9 rocket at 5:30 PM IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Part of a Private Yet Pivotal Mission
The Ax-4 crew includes astronauts from the US, Poland, Hungary, and India, with NASA veteran Peggy Whitson commanding the mission. Axiom Space, the private company behind the effort, eventually plans to build a commercial successor to the aging ISS.

Although not an official ISRO mission, Shukla’s flight represents a critical precursor to India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, offering firsthand operational experience and microgravity insights.

Science at the Core
While aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct seven cutting-edge Indian experiments in microgravity. Developed in partnership with ISRO and Indian universities, these studies include:

Seed germination in space to enable future space farming

Muscle regeneration research, vital for long-duration astronaut health

Cognitive response analysis using digital displays

Tardigrade survivability — studying one of Earth’s most resilient lifeforms

“These experiments are essential for building India’s long-term capability in human spaceflight,” said Tushar Phadnis, Group Head, Microgravity Platforms & Research at ISRO.

Connecting from Orbit
As part of the mission’s outreach, Shukla is expected to interact live with Prime Minister Modi and students from across India, aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“This mission is for every Indian. I ask the nation to bless its success. Even stars are within our reach,” said Shukla ahead of launch.

A Legacy Reignited
Shukla will become only the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma in 1984 to travel to space, marking a symbolic return of India to human spaceflight. If all goes to plan, the Dragon spacecraft will dock with the ISS on June 26 at 4:30 PM IST, after a 28-hour journey. The crew will return to Earth with a splashdown in early July.

As India prepares for its own crewed missions, Shukla’s journey represents not just a personal milestone, but a national stride toward becoming a true spacefaring power.