Axiom-4 will represent India's readiness in space exploration

TITUSVILLE (FLORIDA): Four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma touched the stars, history beckons India again as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to buckle into SpaceX's Dragon capsule for lift-off from Kennedy Space Centre's (KSC) Launch Complex-39A at 8am Eastern Time (5.30pm IST) on Wednesday.As designated pilot of the

Axiom-4 mission

, Shukla will become only the second Indian to reach space, and the first to serve in a critical operational role aboard the ISS. "Even stars are attainable," he said last week about being primed for the mission. Shukla iterated he won't be carrying just instruments and equipment, but the "hopes and dreams of a billion hearts".While Wg Cdr Sharma was India's space torchbearer, Shukla's mission represents a quantum leap. He's not merely flying to space; he will be a pilot on one of the most research-intensive commercial missions to the ISS ever attempted.The four-member crew will spend about 14 days aboard the ISS, during which they will carry out more than 60 science experiments, including seven from India. These include experiments on metabolic diseases, microgravity's effects on muscle and plant growth, microbial behaviour, cognitive function, and materials testing. Researchers from more than 30 countries have contributed to the mission payload.

The crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US) as commander, Polish engineer Slawosz Uznanski, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu, and Shukla, an IAF test pilot, whose role is part of a broader Indian ambition to gain spaceflight experience ahead of the Gaganyaan programme, the country's first crewed space mission.SpaceX's Dragon capsule, designated C213, will take roughly 28 hours after being in orbit to reach the ISS. Once their science experiments are complete, the crew will undock and splash down off the coast of California.Shukla's responsibilities encompass monitoring critical flight systems, executing manual docking procedures, if required, and supporting crew safety during launch and return. His extensive preparation spans months of training with Axiom, Nasa, ESA and SpaceX for this mission. He was also in Russia's Gagarin Centre as part of Gaganyaan, adding to 2,000-odd flying hours as a test pilot.Axiom-4 builds on India's long history of international space cooperation. From joint missions with Russia to partnerships with CNES (French space agency), Nasa, ESA and Jaxa (Japanese), to name a few, the country has consistently worked within global frameworks. When Dragon docks with the ISS on June 12, Shukla won't just represent India, he will demonstrate India's readiness for expanded operational roles in space exploration.