Shubhanshu Shukla Travels to Space Aboard the Axiom-4 Mission
Mission: Axiom-4 (Ax-4).
Launch: June 25, 2025, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Duration: 18 days in orbit.
Activities: Conducted over 60 experiments in microgravity, including studies on muscle regeneration, algae growth for food/oxygen, and crop viability.
Significance: A crucial step for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, boosting international cooperation.
Return: Splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 15, 2025.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), has been handpicked as one of the four astronauts for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) historic Gaganyaan mission — the nation’s inaugural human space flight endeavor.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, Shukla possesses fluency in both English and his native Hindi. His journey began when he was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. As a combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he boasts an impressive 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His ascent to the rank of group captain in March 2024 reflects his exceptional contributions.
In 2019, Shukla received a momentous call from ISRO. He embarked on rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow, Russia—a year-long preparation that would shape his destiny. On February 27, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Shukla as one of the elite astronauts undergoing intensive training for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2025.
Shukla served as pilot for the historic Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station, leaving an indelible mark on India’s remarkable advancements in human space exploration.
Shubhanshu Shukla became 634th astronaut to reach space.
India’s Shubhanshu Shukla became the 634th astronaut to travel to space when he entered the International Space Station on Thursday, June 26, 2025, after a 28-hour journey.
Mr. Shukla and three other astronauts were formally welcomed on the space station by the members of Expedition 73 with warm hugs and handshakes.
Axiom mission commander Peggy Whitson handed out astronaut pins to Mr. Shukla, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungarian Tibor Kapu, who marked their maiden voyage to space.
“I am astronaut 634. It is a privilege to be here,” Mr. Shukla said in brief remarks at the formal welcome ceremony in the space station. “With your love and blessings, I have reached the International Space Station. It looks easy to stand here, but my head is a little heavy, facing some difficulty; but these are minor issues,” he said. “We will get used to it. This is the first step of this journey,” he added.
Mr. Shukla said over the next 14 days, he and the other astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and interact with the people on earth.
‘This is a phase of India’s space journey,’ says Shukla; ‘I am carrying the tiranga and I am very confident that the next 14 days are going to be amazing, advancing science and research,’ he adds.
The crew launched aboard SpaceX Dragon “Grace” atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 25 at 1:31 a.m. CT. After undocking from the International Space Station on July 14, they safely splashed down off the coast of California on Tuesday, July 15 at 4:31 a.m. CT.
In Shukla’s hometown in Lucknow, his parents and relatives, teachers, friends, scores of students and onlookers greeted the successful docking with a standing ovation.
Additionally, this marked the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary conducted a mission on board the International Space Station.
“The Ax-4 mission is a powerful demonstration of what’s possible through commercial space,” said Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space. "This mission reflects Axiom Space’s vision of a thriving low-Earth orbit economy, where access to space is no longer limited to a few, but extends to all who seek to explore, discover, and innovate", he added.
the Ax-4 crew conducted more than 60 scientific experiments across a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, materials research, Earth observation, and technology demonstrations. These investigations represented the interests of 31 countries, underscoring the mission’s global impact in advancing science and innovation in microgravity.
In addition to the scientific research, the crew participated in over 20 outreach events, connecting with a diverse global audience that included government officials, students, researchers, the media, and aspiring astronauts.
As the only private company to have successfully executed private astronaut missions to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Space has expanded access to low-Earth orbit by enabling governments, academic institutions, private organizations, and individuals to engage in research, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach in space. In parallel, these missions serve as a precursor for Axiom Space’s long-term vision—the launch and operation of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.
