New Delhi, May 15 — The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS), featuring Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been rescheduled for launch on June 8 at 6:41 PM IST from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was previously slated for May 29.
The updated timeline was announced by Axiom Space and NASA, with the latter confirming the revised launch window via a post on social media:
"After reviewing @Space_Station flight schedule, NASA and its partners are shifting launch opportunities for several upcoming missions... Axiom Mission 4: 9:11 am EDT, Sunday, June 8."
Shubhanshu Shukla: India's Space Pioneer After 40 Years
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's participation in the Ax-4 mission marks a historic moment, coming four decades after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 spaceflight aboard Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft. Shukla will be piloting the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, a critical milestone in India’s growing involvement in international human spaceflight.Alongside Shukla, the Ax-4 crew comprises astronauts from Poland and Hungary, both making their debut missions to the ISS. This mission also represents the second government-sponsored human spaceflight for both countries in over 40 years.
Scientific Goals and ISRO’s Microgravity Focus
Shukla is set to conduct seven scientific experiments aboard the ISS, focusing on microgravity research that aligns with India’s space ambitions. Among the highlights is ISRO’s plan to experiment with India-centric food cultivation, including the sprouting of fenugreek (methi) and green gram (moong) in space conditions.These efforts are pivotal for India's roadmap to build its own space station by 2035 and to send astronauts to the Moon by 2047.
International Crew and Spaceflight Records
- Slawosz Uznanski, representing the European Space Agency (ESA), will become Poland’s second astronaut since 1978.
- Tibor Kapu will mark Hungary’s return to space since 1980 as its second astronaut.
- The mission will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a veteran astronaut holding the record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American.
