India’s Shubhangshu Shukla Set to Make History in Space After Four Decades
The wait is almost over. If all goes well, on Wednesday at 12:01 PM IST, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhangshu Shukla will soar into space aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The mission, titled Axiom-4 (Ax-4), marks a historic moment — the first time since Rakesh Sharma in 1984 that an Indian will travel to space.
Dragon to Launch Aboard Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center
The Dragon spacecraft will launch from Launch Complex 39A with the help of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The mission will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day scientific expedition. Over 60 research experiments are scheduled to be conducted during this time.
Leading the team is Reggie Whitson, former NASA astronaut and Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Joining her are Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
From Air Force Fighter Jets to a Spacecraft Pilot
39-year-old Shubhangshu Shukla, a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has vast experience flying fighter jets such as the MiG-21, Su-30, Hawk, Jaguar, and AN-32. But this will be his first spaceflight — a monumental leap from the skies to the stars.
Selected alongside Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair by ISRO, Shubhangshu was chosen as the primary astronaut while Prashanth remains his backup. Both began intensive training at SpaceX and Axiom Space Inc. from August 2023.
A Delayed but Determined Launch
Originally scheduled for May 29, 2025, the mission faced multiple delays due to technical and weather-related issues. The launch date was rescheduled seven times. Finally, after months of anticipation, the mission is ready for liftoff.
Shubhangshu’s journey has captured the attention of over 1.4 billion Indians, and rightly so — he’s not only representing India but also symbolizing a new era of international space collaboration.
Paving the Way for Future Indian Space Missions
This mission is expected to bolster India’s space credentials, especially as ISRO gears up for its own manned space mission, Gaganyaan. Experts believe the success of Axiom-4 will enhance India’s strategic role in global space exploration.
Shubhangshu’s contribution isn’t just individual; it carries national significance. His experience will potentially support India’s future spaceflight programs and strengthen Indo-American space partnerships.
FAQ:
Q: Who is Shubhangshu Shukla?
A: Shubhangshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and the pilot of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s Axiom-4 mission.
Q: When is the Axiom-4 mission launching?
A: The mission is scheduled to launch at 12:01 PM IST on Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Q: Who else is part of the Axiom-4 crew?
A: The team includes Reggie Whitson (Commander), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
Q: How long will they stay in space?
A: The astronauts will spend 14 days aboard the ISS conducting over 60 scientific experiments.
Q: Is this India’s official space mission?
A: No. This is a NASA-Axiom mission with support from ISRO. Shubhangshu is participating as an international private astronaut.