India

IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla To Become Second Indian In Space On Axiom Mission 4

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 organised 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 emphasised 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.

Also Read: Carl Pei Reveals Plans To Offset Tariff Impact With India-Led Export Strategy

Bharat Express English

Recent Posts

President Murmu And PM Modi Extend Eid Al-Adha Wishes, Call For Unity And Service

On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi extended warm wishes to citizens on occasion…

16 mins ago

JD Vance Resignation Claim Is False; Confirms No Credible Source

Viral claims about US Vice President JD Vance resigning due to tensions between Donald Trump…

49 mins ago

Vikrant Massey Shares Adorable ‘Monkey Business’ Moment With Son In Naples

Actor Vikrant Massey, currently enjoying a family holiday in Naples, Italy, delighted fans by sharing…

1 hour ago

Trending: Eid Al-Adha 2025: The Festival Of Sacrifice Brings Communities Together

Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakri Eid or the festival of sacrifice, stands as one…

2 hours ago

Overcoming Procrastination: Strategies That Help

Discover practical strategies to overcome procrastination, improve focus, and build habits that drive consistent productivity.

2 hours ago

North Mumbai Panthers Claim First Victory In T20 Mumbai League 2025

North Mumbai Panthers, captained by Prithvi Shaw, secured their maiden victory in the T20 Mumbai…

2 hours ago