History is being made today as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launches into space aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, becoming only the second Indian to do so since Rakesh Sharma’s legendary spaceflight in 1984. The launch, scheduled for 12:01 PM IST today, June 25, is taking place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.
Shukla is part of a four-member international crew embarking on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Alongside him is mission commander Dr. Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and now Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. The mission specialists include Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, associated with the European Space Agency, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, representing the HUNOR program.
The weather outlook is highly favorable, with SpaceX confirming a 90% chance of good conditions at launch time. This marks the fourth private astronaut mission organized by Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, further advancing the commercialization of space missions.
Today’s liftoff follows a series of six delays caused by a mix of adverse weather, technical glitches in the Falcon 9 rocket, and a module issue on the ISS. After weeks of testing and safety checks, all systems are now go. NASA reports that docking with the ISS is expected at around 4:30 PM IST on Thursday, June 26.
For India, Shukla’s journey is not just a personal milestone but a national one—reviving Indian human presence in space after four decades and setting the stage for future collaborations in space exploration. His flight underscores ISRO’s growing global presence and India’s expanding footprint in the modern space economy.
The Ax-4 mission represents a significant achievement in international cooperation, private-sector leadership in space, and the promise of new frontiers for Indian astronauts. As the countdown ends, India watches with pride and anticipation, celebrating a moment that reconnects it with the stars.
With the launch now live, the world awaits the successful arrival of Shukla and his fellow astronauts aboard the orbiting space laboratory, ushering in a new chapter in India’s space legacy.
