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Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom 4 Mission: Axiom-4 took off for ISS; President and PM Modi congratulated
Axiom 4 Mission – Photo: PTI
Shubhanshu Shukla NASA Axiom 4 Mission Launch News. Air Force Group Captain and Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla created history today i.e. on Wednesday June 25, 2025 . He has become the second Indian to go into space after Rakesh Sharma, who orbited the Earth for eight consecutive days 41 years ago.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also congratulated Shubhanshu and other astronauts
On the Axiom-4 mission, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, along with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, astronauts from Poland, Hungary and the US have left for the International Space Station. Best wishes to the astronauts for this mission.
The Ministry of Defense also congratulated Shubhanshu
The Ministry of Defense also congratulated the US space agency NASA and ISRO on the joint mission – Axiom-4. In a message released on the X handle, the Ministry of Defense said, Hearty congratulations and best wishes to the four astronauts including Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force on the successful launch of the spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As the first Indian to reach the International Space Station, Group Captain Shukla’s achievement is remarkable. It is a testament to his courage, determination and dedication. The successful launch of the spacecraft for the Axiom-4 mission is a proud and historic moment for the entire country.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also congratulated Shubhanshu
Regarding Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that this is a proud moment for India. He posted a video on the official X handle and wrote, ‘Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is involved in the Axiom-4 mission. Hearty congratulations to him on this historic achievement.’ CM Yogi said that this achievement has been achieved under the visionary leadership of PM Modi. India’s participation in this international space mission reflects our unwavering commitment to scientific progress and global cooperation. Hearty congratulations for the success of the mission.
Nidhi Mishra, sister of AF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, said, “The experience was good. So far all the phases have been completed successfully. I wish that the future missions are also completed successfully…”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, “This is a big leap. After 40 years an Indian astronaut has gone to space, but there is a lot of difference between the 1984 mission in which Rakesh Sharma went… The difference between then and now is that at that time our space program was in its infancy. India did not have much to offer and neither was much expected from it; neither did we expect much to get… But today, India is an equal partner. It is not only collaborating in scientific experiments but also playing a leading role… They have been assigned to carry out various experiments, which are broadly classified into 7 categories… All these experiments are going to benefit space exploration programs not only in India but across the world. So, India has now taken the lead… This is a sign of India moving towards a developed India.”
On Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to go to the International Space Station, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, ‘I am proud and more than that we are proud that they offered to send one of the Indians to space. When this mission was being planned, it was about 2-3 years ago, when PM Modi was on a visit to DC. Then the proposal came that such a mission is being planned and they would like to include one of the Indians in it. Incidentally we had four Air Force officers who were already training for Gaganyaan. Shubhanshu is the youngest among those four. So one of them had to be chosen. Finally Shubhanshu’s name was chosen and Nair (Group Captain Prashant Nair) was the standby. The Americans were equally keen to send an Indian to space. In other words it means that today more than ever before they understand the importance of India’s potential, India’s talent and India’s ability to contribute.’
‘This is a very emotional moment, I have no words’
Shuchi Mishra, sister of IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, said, “This was a very emotional moment, I have no words. We are very happy that the first stage has passed well but this is just the beginning, a lot is still left.”
PM Modi said – carried the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians
We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and America. Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He has taken with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Best wishes to him and other astronauts for success!
President Draupadi Murmu said on the Axiom-4 mission that Shubhanshu Shukla has set a new milestone, the whole country is excited and proud of the space journey of an Indian.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on the launch of Axiom piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, “…it is the clarion call of India reaching the pinnacle of developed India.”
The Indian Air Force tweeted, ‘From conquering the skies to touching the stars, a journey inspired by the indomitable spirit of an IAF warrior. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla took off on a historic space mission that will take the nation’s pride beyond the Earth. This is a moment for India, coming 41 years after the mission of Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, who first carried our tricolour beyond the Earth. Being much more than a mission, it is a reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizons.’
It’s an amazing journey’
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said, “Namaste, my dear countrymen! What a journey! We are back in space once again after 41 years. It’s an amazing journey. We are orbiting the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The tricolour embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not the start of the International Space Station (ISS), but the start of India’s human space programme. I want all of you to be a part of this journey. Your chest should also swell with pride… Come, let us all together start India’s human space programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green, Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson AC and others were seen celebrating the launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US. The mission is being piloted by India’s IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Axiom-4 mission took off for space
Shubhanshu Shukla has left to create history. Axiom-4 mission has taken off for space. During the launch, Shubhanshu’s parents had tears in their eyes. They said that the whole country is proud of him.
SIA-India President Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri said, ‘Our astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is going to space. This is a great day for India.’
On the Axiom-4 mission launch, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Director Dr. BR Guruprasad said that this is very important and a matter of pride, happiness and excitement for all 140 crore Indians as Shubhanshu is the pilot in this mission. The mission commander is Peggy Whitson, a woman with extensive experience at NASA, who is now working as Human Space Flight Director at AXIOM-4, a private company. The other two crew members, Slawoj Uznański-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, are both mission specialists, that is, they conduct experiments. Although the Crew Dragon spacecraft is automated, the pilot and commander have many responsibilities.
RC Kapoor, former scientist and professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics on the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, said that our astronauts are now going to the International Space Station, which is a very extraordinary opportunity for us, because our astronauts are going to get used to different systems. So this is a multidimensional experience, which our astronaut is going to get and after coming back he is going to share a very rich experience.
Shuchi Mishra, sister of Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, said that this is a really proud moment for the whole country. I am his sister, so for me it is a big mix of emotions at this time. Lots of happiness, lots of love and nervousness. Whatever happens, it will be good, I am sure, we are very confident that he will complete his mission successfully and safely. Shubhanshu has become a big inspiration for all of us.
Nidhi Mishra, sister of Shubhanshu Shukla, said that this is a proud moment not only for me but for everyone in India… I cannot express it in words; All I want to say is ‘Shubhshu, best wishes, may your mission be successful and you come back to us safely. I am feeling good and I am hoping that he will complete his mission successfully and come back to us soon, so that I can hug him once again. My brother says – there is no substitute for hard work. You don’t get anything easily in this world. Whatever we are seeing today, there is a lot of hard work behind it… I am a little emotional for my brother right now.
Technical fault came to light
Before the launch, news came that there was some fault in the Axiom mission. However, it was fixed in a few minutes.
Shuchi Mishra, sister of Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, said that this is a really proud moment for the whole country. I am his sister, so for me it is a big mix of emotions at this time. Lots of happiness, lots of love and nervousness. Whatever happens, it will be good, I am sure, we are confident that he will complete his mission successfully and safely. Shubhanshu has become a big inspiration for all of us.
Shubhhanshu Shukla’s sister Nidhi Mishra said that this is a proud moment not only for me but for everyone in India… I cannot express it in words; I just want to say that ‘Shubhhanshu, best wishes, may your mission be successful and you return safely to us. I am feeling good and I am hoping that he will return to us soon after completing his mission successfully, so that I can hug him once again. My brother says – there is no substitute for hard work. You do not get anything easily in this world. There is a lot of hard work behind everything we are seeing today… I am a little emotional for my brother right now.
Technical glitch came to light
Before the launch, news came that there was some glitch in the Axiom mission. However, it was fixed within a few minutes.
Brajesh Pathak congratulated
About Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, who was a part of the Axiom mission, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that today a new chapter will be written in the field of space science. I congratulate him and his entire family.
Subhanshu’s journey will benefit in Gaganyaan
Shukla’s experience on Axiom Mission 4 will be used very well in ISRO’s Gaganyaan space flight mission. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
Video of Shubhanshu Shukla
Will be part of seven ISRO and five NASA experiments
ISRO has prepared a set of seven experiments for Shukla. Apart from this, Shukla will also participate in five joint studies planned for NASA’s human research program. Shukla will conduct experiments like sprouting fenugreek and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions on the ISS. Shukla will expose the seeds to macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to Earth, where they will be grown as plants not just once but for generations.
On the mission to be launched today, space strategist PK Ghosh said, ‘… This is a very important day for us because very soon we are going to have Gaganyaan. At that time he (Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla) will be the only person who will be experienced and he will definitely take command of the Gaganyaan mission… I am eagerly waiting for this and I would like to salute NASA for selecting such a good astronaut.’
He said that I think this is a very important day for India, ISRO and every citizen of the country, because we are sending an astronaut for the second time after 1984. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is going to stay on the International Space Station for 14 days… For us, this is a very important day, because very soon we are going to have Gaganyaan… At that time, he will be the only person who will be experienced and he will definitely command the Gaganyaan mission. He is going to lead 3-4 astronauts who will go to space. Right now, Commander Peggy is going to lead the Axiom 4 mission and he (Group Captain Shukla) will be the navigator. They are going to do some experiments… I am eagerly waiting for this and I would like to salute NASA for selecting such a good astronaut and I know that it will be a great success and he will come back after 14 days fully experienced… I think all 1.4 billion people are waiting for this.
Launch scheduled around 12:01 pm
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted, ‘Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will formally join the other three crew members for the much-awaited launch, scheduled around 12:01 pm today.’
Who all are included in the mission?
Lucknow-born Shubhanshu Shukla will depart for the International Space Station (ISS) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday evening in a commercial spacecraft of ISRO-NASA-backed Axiom Space. Shubhanshu will be in space for 14 days. Shukla’s colleagues on the Axiom-4 mission, Commander Peggy Whitson and Mission Specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slavoj Ujnaski-Wisniewski from Poland, describe him as operationally-savvy, focused and extremely smart when it comes to space technologies. Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, was selected in 2019 to be part of India’s astronaut corps for the Gaganyaan mission along with fellow officers Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap and Ajit Krishnan. Gaganyaan is planned to be launched in 2027. These three astronauts of Gaganyaan were given extensive training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia and ISRO’s Astronaut Training Center in Bangalore.
Weather is also 90% favorable for launch
SpaceX has reported that the weather looks favorable for the launch of the mission and all systems are working well. SpaceX said in a post on X that all systems are looking good for the launch of Axiom Space’s X-4 mission on Wednesday. Apart from this, the weather is also 90% favorable for the launch.
When and why was the mission postponed?
Preparations for this mission have been going on since last month. But due to technical flaws, its launch kept getting postponed. After May 29, it was scheduled to launch on June 8, 10 and 11, but the mission had to be postponed due to fuel leakage in SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket and leakage in the Russian part of the International Space Station. After this, it was planned to launch on June 19 and then June 22, but NASA extended the mission to check the system after repair work on the ISS.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has extended his hearty congratulations and best wishes to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on the historic success of the Axiom-4 mission. Chief Minister Sai said that with the aspirations, faith and best wishes of the entire countrymen, Shubhanshu Shukla will achieve the historic feat of becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station. This is a moment of pride and inspiration for all of us.
When was the mission launched?
The Axiom-4 mission was launched on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at 2:31 am EDT or 12 noon Indian time from Launch Complex 39A of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is also a part of this mission. He is the pilot in this team. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory via the new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after the Falcon 9 rocket launch. The targeted docking time is Thursday at 7 a.m. EDT or 4 p.m. Indian time.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom 4 Mission Live: Axiom-4 takes off for ISS; President-PM Modi congratulates
Shubhanshu Shukla NASA Axiom 4 Mission Launch News : Air Force Group Captain and Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to create history today i.e. Wednesday June 25, 2025 . He is the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma, who orbited the Earth for eight consecutive days 41 years ago. Earlier, US space agency NASA announced on Tuesday June 24, 2025 that the launch for the Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) has taken place place on June 25, 2025.
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