Axiom Mission 4: India’s Historic Leap into Space

Axiom Mission 4 marks a historic milestone in global space exploration, showcasing the power of international collaboration and commercial spaceflight. With India’s Shubhanshu Shukla making history aboard the ISS, the mission reflects scientific advancement, national pride, and a new era of human space travel.

Axiom Mission 4 is a commercial crewed spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS), launched by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. It marks the fourth such mission by Axiom and aims to expand access to space for international astronauts and scientists.

What is Axiom Mission 4?

Axiom Mission 4, commonly referred to as Ax‑4, is a privately funded international crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS), operated by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA and launched by SpaceX.

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight mission to the International Space Station, launched by Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA on June 25, 2025. It carried four astronauts from the USA, India, Hungary, and Poland aboard the Crew Dragon "Grace".The mission aimed to conduct over 60 scientific experiments in microgravity. Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian astronaut on the ISS. Ax-4 marks a major step toward commercial space missions and international cooperation in space exploration.

Axiom Mission 4 launched on June 25, 2025, and docked with the ISS on June 26, 2025. The crew is scheduled to stay in space for approximately 14 days. They will return to Earth with a planned splashdown in mid-July 2025.

Who is operating this mission?

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is being led by Axiom Space, a private space company based in Houston, USA. The mission is launched using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon "Grace" spacecraft. NASA supports the mission by coordinating docking and operations aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. It includes astronauts from India, Hungary, and Poland, marking a major international collaboration.

Who is the crew for the Axiom-4 Mission?

Here are the four crew members aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4):

• Commander: Peggy Whitson (USA) – Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space and a former NASA astronaut with a record flight time.

• Pilot: Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Indian Air Force Group Captain and first Indian on the ISS.

• Mission Specialist: Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski (Poland, ESA) – Physicist and engineer from the ESA Astronaut Reserve.

• Mission Specialist: Tibor Kapu (Hungary, HUNOR) – Mechanical engineer representing Hungary’s astronaut program.

Who is leading from India in this mission?

The pilot of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the Indian Air Force. He is the first Indian to pilot a spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), marking India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years.

The lead representative from India on Axiom Mission 4 is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force. He is serving as the mission pilot—the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, the lead representative from India.

In his first message from ISS, delivered in Hindi, Shukla said:

"This is Flight Engineer Shubanshu Shukla, reporting from the International Space Station. It’s a surreal moment — watching Earth drift beneath me, so peaceful and boundless. To everyone back home: this journey is not just mine, it belongs to all of us. India, we are in space. Jai Hind!"

What is the Aim of this mission?

1. Conduct advanced scientific experiments in microgravity, including research in health, agriculture, and biology.

2. Promote international cooperation by including astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary.

3. Support commercial spaceflight growth by demonstrating private access to the International Space Station (ISS).

4. Prepare nations like India for future independent missions, such as ISRO's Gaganyaan.

5. Encourage space education and outreach by inspiring the global public and fostering STEM learning.