Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), launched after multiple delays from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25, 2025. This mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years.

Mission Details

• The Ax-4 mission crew consists of: 
  1. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from India
  2. Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S.
  3. Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland
  4. Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary
• The crew is aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by the Falcon 9 rocket.
• Targeted docking at the ISS is scheduled for approximately 7 a.m. Eastern Time on June 26, 2025.
• The crew will spend up to 14 days on the ISS, engaging in various scientific, outreach, and commercial activities.

Significance of the Mission

• Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS and the first Indian in space in 40 years, following Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission.
• The mission is seen as the beginning of India's human space programme, with Shukla carrying the Indian tri-colour flag as a symbol of national pride.

Scientific Endeavors

• The Ax-4 mission involves around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, with significant contributions from: 
  1. The U.S.
  2. India
  3. Poland
  4. Hungary
  5. Saudi Arabia
  6. Brazil
  7. Nigeria
  8. UAE
  9. Various European nations
• ISRO has selected seven microgravity research experiments from Indian researchers to be conducted by Shukla aboard the ISS.
• ISRO and NASA are collaborating on five joint science investigations and two STEM demonstrations in orbit.

Challenges Faced

• The launch faced several delays due to: 
  1. Issues in the electrical harness of the Crew Dragon Module
  2. Delay in readiness of the Falcon 9 vehicle
  3. Unfavorable weather conditions
  4. Liquid oxygen leak on Falcon 9
  5. A snag in the Zvezda service module aboard the ISS
• The crew had been in quarantine since May 25, 2025.