Shubhanshu Shukla Launches Into Space Aboard Axiom-4, Propelling India To New Heights In Space

Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 12:04 IST

Shubhanshu Shukla launched to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 as part of the Axiom-4 private mission, which will dock at nearly 4.30 pm IST on June 26.

Axiom4 Mission: Shubhanshu Shukla, other crew aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket (Video screengrab/Social Media)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 mission on Wednesday lifted off to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

This is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station by NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX.

The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.

The targeted docking time is approximately 4.30 pm IST on Thursday, June 26, NASA said in a statement.

Moments before the lift off, Dragon’s hatch had closed and all communication and completed suit checks. Further, the seats were rotated as the crew prepared for launch.

AXIOM-4 MISSION: THE CREW

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is piloting the Axiom-4 mission.

Joining the mission are Slawosz Uznanski of Poland, a European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

Uznanski will be Poland’s second astronaut since 1978, while Kapu will be Hungary’s second since 1980.

Veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson is commanding the mission, adding to her record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by any American.

The four-member crew had remained in quarantine in Florida while it prepared for the launch, once the station was cleared to receive them

AXIOM MISSION LAUNCHED AFTER MULTIPLE DELAYS

The mission was originally scheduled for lift-off on May 29 but was then put off to June 8, then June 10 and June 11, when engineers detected a liquid oxygen leak in the boosters of the Falcon-9 rocket and NASA also detected leaks in the ageing Russian module of the International Space Station.

The launch was then planned for June 19 and then on June 22 which was put off to allow NASA evaluate operations of the ISS after repairs in the Russian module.

According to the ISS, additional time was needed to evaluate station operations following recent repair work in the aft segment of the Zvezda service module.

Due to the highly interconnected nature of the orbital laboratory’s systems, NASA was reviewing relevant data to ensure readiness for the arrival of additional crew members.

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Location :

First Published:

News india Shubhanshu Shukla Launches Into Space Aboard Axiom-4, Propelling India To New Heights In Space