Shubhanshu Shukla Pilots Axiom‑4 on SpaceX Falcon 9 to ISS

On 25 June 2025 at 12:01 pm IST, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla began his ascent to the International Space Station on board SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Block 5 from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center. This marks the second time an Indian has ventured into space and the first Indian to live and work onboard the ISS.

Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla? A Pilot Turned Astronaut

Born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla graduated from the National Defence Academy in 2005 and was commissioned into the IAF’s Fighter Stream in June 2006. By March 2024, he had risen to the rank of Group Captain, accruing over 2,000 hours of flight time in combat aircraft like Su‑30 MKI, MiG‑21/29, Jaguar, and Hawk. He joined ISRO’s Gaganyaan astronaut cadre in 2019, trained in Russia and Bengaluru, and was named to the Ax‑4 mission crew in early 2024.

Falcon 9 Block 5 & Crew Dragon: A Trusted Pair

The Falcon 9 Block 5, certified by NASA in November 2020, is a reusable, medium-lift rocket noted for its 100% crewed mission success rate and redundant systems. The mission uses a new Crew Dragon capsule, piloted autonomously, ferrying a four-member international crew to the ISS.

A Global Crew and Mission Objectives

Axiom‑4’s command structure includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and mission specialists from Poland and Hungary, alongside pilot Shukla. Over 14 days, the crew will conduct around 60 scientific experiments, seven of which are Indian-designed, spanning microgravity, biology, and materials science.

A Milestone for India’s Space Odyssey

This mission represents India’s first government-backed presence on the ISS and the nation’s long-awaited return to human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. It also complements the Gaganyaan programme, positioning India alongside global spacefaring nations.

Technical Delays and Final Countdown

The launch was postponed multiple times due to weather, technical, and safety checks including a liquid oxygen leak in early June. Ultimately, the team resolved all issues, and the final launch window opened on 25 June .