June 14, (OT Webdesk)The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut on the Axiom-4 commercial space mission, will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 19, 2025.
The mission, originally planned for May 29, faced delays due to technical issues with the launch vehicle and ISS systems.
The 14-day Axiom-4 mission, launching aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, marks a significant milestone for India’s human spaceflight program.
The mission also includes astronauts from Poland and Hungary, reinforcing international cooperation in commercial space exploration.
Leading the mission is Peggy Whitson, a seasoned NASA astronaut and Axiom’s Director of Human Spaceflight. Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot, making him one of the few Indians to venture into space.
Joining them are Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland, ESA) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), both mission specialists.
Earlier postponements stemmed from a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket and a pressure anomaly in the Russian Zvezda Service Module aboard the ISS.
Following technical reviews, ISRO, Axiom Space, and NASA confirmed that the rocket issues were resolved, and ISS module monitoring continues.
The mission is a major step forward for India’s space ambitions, enhancing its role in commercial human spaceflight.
It strengthens international astronaut collaboration and paves the way for future missions involving Indian astronauts.
The Axiom-4 launch signifies India’s growing stature in global space exploration, aligning with its ambitions for independent crewed missions in the coming years.
