India Returns to Space After 41 Years: Axiom-4 Mission to the ISS
- TPP
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 27
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, India made a triumphant return to human spaceflight as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launched aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, after facing multiple delays, lifted off at exactly 12:01 p.m. IST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The spacecraft, a SpaceX Dragon capsule named Grace, was propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket, beginning a 28-hour journey to the orbiting laboratory.
Shukla is now the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS and the first Indian to venture into space in 41 years, following in the footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984.
A Crew Representing the World
The Ax-4 mission brings together a diverse international crew, highlighting the role of global collaboration in space exploration. The mission consists of four international crew members:
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot, representing India and ISRO
Commander Peggy Whitson (United States) – Veteran NASA astronaut, and now Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight
Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) – European Space Agency (ESA) backup astronaut
Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Hungary’s representative in space after decades
The launch follows multiple delays, with the mission originally scheduled for May 29, 2025, but later postponed to June 8, June 10, June 11, June 22, and finally June 25. Delays were attributed to a range of issues, including:
Observations in the Crew Dragon Module’s electrical harness
Liquid oxygen leak on Falcon 9
Snag in the Zvezda service module aboard the ISS
Unfavourable weather conditions
Despite these challenges, the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket’s second stage about 10 minutes after lift-off, and the Dragon nosecone opening sequence commenced, marking entry into stable Earth orbit at approximately 200 km altitude, circling the Earth at a speed of 7.5 km/s.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s First Message from Space:
"Not the Start of My Journey, but the Start of India's Human Space Programme"
Soon after reaching orbit, Shubhanshu Shukla addressed the nation in Hindi, delivering an emotional and powerful message:
“Namaskar mere pyaare deshwasiyo. Hum antriksh mein pahunch gaye hain aur kamaal ki ride thi”(“Greetings, my dear countrymen. We have reached space after 41 years, and it was an amazing ride.”)
He continued:
“Mere kandhe par jo tiranga hai, woh mujhe yaad dilaata hai ki main akela nahi hoon. Aap sab mere saath hain. Ye meri yatra nahi hai, balki Bharat ke manav antriksh karyakram ki shuruaat hai. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”(“The tricolour on my shoulder reminds me that I am not alone—you are all with me. This is not just the start of my journey, but the beginning of India’s human space programme. Let us embark on this together. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”)
He also shared that the spacecraft was circling Earth at 4.5 km per second, underlining the precision and speed involved in spaceflight.
Mission Objective and Scientific Scope
The Ax-4 mission is not merely symbolic; it has a strong scientific foundation. After a 28-hour journey, the crew is scheduled to dock with the ISS at approximately 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time (4:30 p.m. IST) on June 26, 2025. They will remain aboard the space station for 14 days, conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including:
Studies on human physiology
Research on space technology
Experiments in Earth observation
Importantly, India is contributing significantly to the scientific payload. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has selected seven microgravity research experiments, proposed by Principal Investigators (PIs) from Indian academic institutions and R&D labs, to be conducted by Group Captain Shukla during his stay.
Additionally, ISRO and NASA will jointly conduct:
5 collaborative scientific investigations
2 in-orbit STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) demonstrations
Cultural Exchange in Orbit
In a nod to cultural pride and diversity, each astronaut has brought food representing their homeland. Shukla carried:
Indian curry and rice
Mango nectar
His fellow astronauts brought Hungarian paprika paste and Polish pierogies, making the mission not just scientific but also a celebration of multicultural identity in space.
National Celebration and Global Collaboration
The Axiom-4 mission holds immense emotional and symbolic value for India. Shukla’s alma mater, City Montessori School in Lucknow, hosted a public viewing of the launch, where his parents and school community celebrated with emotional pride.
Speaking prior to the mission, Shukla shared his aspirations:
“While I may be one individual travelling to space, this journey belongs to all 1.4 billion Indians. I aim to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation and inspire innovation back home.”
He is also expected to interact live with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the mission—further underscoring its national significance.
A Defining Moment for India's Space Future
The Axiom-4 mission not only propels India back into human spaceflight after four decades but also lays the groundwork for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission—India’s first indigenous human spaceflight program. Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic flight is a fusion of science, patriotism, and international collaboration, symbolizing a giant leap for India’s space aspirations.
As Shukla aptly said:
“This is not the start of my journey, but the start of India’s human space programme.”
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