There’s a quiet excitement rising in India’s space-loving hearts. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is about to make history. He’s preparing to soar into space aboard the Axiom 4 mission, taking millions of dreams with him.
Mission Plans and Launch Schedule
Shukla is one of four crew members of Axiom Mission 4. The team will travel to the International Space Station on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Liftoff is scheduled for June 10 at 8:22 am ET from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre.
The journey is expected to take 28 hours, with arrival slated for June 11 around 10 pm IST. Once docked, the crew will remain at the space station for 14 days. The mission focuses on science, outreach, and commercial projects.
Experiments and India’s Role in Space
A total of 60 experiments are lined up for this mission. Seven of these come from ISRO, and five are part of NASA’s human research programme. Shukla will also participate in five joint experiments led by NASA.
The mission is a key part of Axiom Space’s goal to build a private space station. It’s also another major step forward for India’s growing presence in global spaceflight.
Meet the Diverse Axiom 4 Crew
This mission brings together crew from India, Hungary, and Poland. It’s the first time these countries are sending astronauts to the ISS.
The team includes:
- Peggy Whitson, a veteran US astronaut and mission commander.
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a Polish scientist and engineer.
- Tibor Kapu, a Hungarian mechanical engineer and mission specialist.
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, representing India with pride and purpose.
Shukla, who is also part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan team, shared his enthusiasm with the Press Information Bureau. He said he’s thrilled to experience microgravity and spaceflight for the first time.
“I want to share this thrilling experience with all Bharatvaasis,” Shukla added. “Even as an individual, this journey belongs to 1.4 billion people.”
Where to Watch the Launch Live
You can watch the launch live on NASA TV, Axiom Space’s YouTube channel, or SpaceX’s official stream. The live broadcast begins at 6:15 am ET or 3:45 pm IST.
Further updates from the mission will follow in the coming days, as India inches closer to writing a proud new chapter in space history.
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