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India is poised to mark a historic milestone in space exploration as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force prepares to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2025.
The Centre officially confirmed his selection for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—a NASA-approved private spaceflight organized by Axiom Space.
Shukla will become the second Indian to journey into space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s landmark 1984 mission aboard a Soviet spacecraft.
Government Hails Mission As Turning Point For Indian Space Program
Minister of State for Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, hailed the upcoming mission as a defining moment for India’s space journey. His remarks followed a high-level review of ISRO’s upcoming projects.
He also emphasized how this development complements the goals of India’s Gaganyaan programme, the nation’s first human spaceflight initiative.
Shubhanshu Shukla To Pilot Ax-4 Mission Alongside Space Veterans
Group Captain Shukla will serve as pilot on the Ax-4 mission, which will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.
The international crew also includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
The team will launch from Florida aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, embarking on a mission expected to last up to 14 days on the ISS.
During their stay, the astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and participate in educational outreach initiatives.
Backup Pilot Also Named
Officials have named Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as Shukla’s backup for the mission.
The appointment ensures preparedness and continuity for what is a significant collaboration between ISRO, NASA, and private space ventures.
As India gears up for this landmark space mission, it strengthens its position as an emerging leader in global space exploration.
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