Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom Mission 4: India is set to mark a new milestone in space exploration as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his maiden journey to the International Space Station (ISS) on 19 June 2025.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Saturday that Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, will launch the Ax-04 mission, with Shukla serving as the pilot.
A leak detected in the propulsion bay of the Zvezda Service Module aboard the ISS, forcing the postponement of the originally scheduled 11 June launch.
ISRO noted that Axiom Space, together with NASA, conducted detailed assessments and resolved the issue.
A follow-up review confirmed that SpaceX had successfully addressed the liquid oxygen leak observed in its Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
Shukla to make history
The mission further marks a significant chapter in Indian space history.
Shukla will be the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and the second Indian to travel into space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s iconic mission in 1984.
His participation in Ax-04 also reflects India’s expanding role in global space partnerships.
Joining Shukla on the mission are Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
The crew will undertake several research activities aboard the ISS.
India-led space nutrition experiments
A major focus of the mission will be India-led experiments related to food sustainability in space.
Developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, these experiments will further explore space nutrition using microalgae as a future food source.
The research will analyse the growth, genetic expression, and protein metabolism of various algal species in microgravity, comparing them to Earth-based samples.
Experts see this as a crucial step toward developing long-term life-support systems for future deep space missions.
ISRO has reaffirmed its commitment to mission safety and international cooperation, noting that the mission showcases India’s growing credibility in advanced space research.
“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will lead exclusive cutting-edge experiments aboard the ISS as a part of #ISRO–#DBT collaboration… reflecting “whole of science” spirit.
It is indeed going to be a major breakthrough for “Space Biotech” spearheaded by India and enabled by PM… pic.twitter.com/GGRxypzuM6
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 11, 2025
The launch of the Ax-04 mission will not only place an Indian aboard the ISS but also highlight India’s scientific contributions in areas critical to space survival.
As the countdown to 19 June begins, anticipation builds across the nation, with Shukla’s journey poised to inspire a new generation of scientists and space enthusiasts.
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