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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the second Indian to venture into space, marking a historic leap for India after a gap of four decades since Rakesh Sharma’s legendary spaceflight in 1984.

Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and a key astronaut under India’s Gaganyaan program, launched aboard the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). His journey not only symbolizes India’s return to human spaceflight but also reflects the nation’s growing ambitions in global space exploration.

Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Lifts Off to ISS

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully lifted off to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday as part of the Axiom-4 (Axe-4) mission. The launch took place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, marking a significant milestone in India’s return to human spaceflight after four decades.

The Axe-4 mission is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS, jointly operated by NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. The crew is travelling aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket. According to NASA, the mission is expected to dock with the space station at approximately 4:30 p.m. IST on Thursday, June 26.

Footage of the launch captured the dramatic moment as the Falcon 9 rocket thundered off the pad, sending the ThAxe-4-4 crew — including Shubhanshu Shukla — on their journey to the ISS. The successful launch marks another step forward for commercial space missions and India’s expanding presence in international space exploration.

Axiom-4 Mission

The Axiom-Axe-4x-4 mission is the fourth private astronaut expedition to the International Space Station. It launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket.
The mission is led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, now with Axiom Space, serving as commander. The international crew includes Slawosz Uznanski from Poland (European Space Agency) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists. Group Captain Shukla joins them as the mission’s pilot — a role of high responsibility and precision.