Historic milestone: ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to pilot Axiom mission 4, marking India’s first crewed ISS mission 

In a historic milestone for India’s space journey, ISRO astronaut and Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Shubhanshu Shukla has been named the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).  

Scheduled to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in spring 2025, this mission marks the first time an Indian astronaut will reach the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. 

Shukla’s journey to the ISS is part of a broader effort that includes his selection for India’s Gaganyaan mission, underscoring his pivotal role in both national and international space exploration endeavours. Commanding the Ax-4 mission will be former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight, Peggy Whitson. Joining them as mission specialists are European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. 

Expressing enthusiasm for the mission’s significance, Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s ISS Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, noted, “I am excited to see continued interest and dedication toward private astronaut missions aboard the International Space Station.” She added that these private missions are pivotal as “NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment.” 

The Ax-4 mission follows a series of successful private astronaut missions by Axiom Space. The first, Axiom Mission 1, launched in April 2022 for a 17-day stay aboard the ISS. Axiom Mission 2, also commanded by Whitson, followed in May 2023, with a crew spending eight days in orbit. Most recently, Axiom Mission 3, which launched in January 2024, saw its crew spend 18 days docked at the space station. 

Reflecting on her experience with the Ax-4 crew, Whitson shared, “Working with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been a deeply rewarding experience. Witnessing their selfless dedication and commitment to expanding horizons and creating opportunities for their nations in space exploration is truly remarkable. Each crew member brings unique strengths and perspectives, making our mission not just a scientific endeavor but a testament to human ingenuity and teamwork.” 

Meanwhile, NASA is also focused on safely bringing back Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded aboard the ISS for 238 days. This follows SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s claim that former US President Donald Trump had urged him to expedite their return. 

The Ax-4 crew plans to spend up to 14 days aboard the space station, conducting a series of scientific, outreach, and commercial activities. The mission not only marks India’s first astronaut to the station but also represents a joint effort between NASA and ISRO, with the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary also joining this historic journey.