Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic flight: first Indian astronaut to Join SpaceX mission to ISS
Updated: Apr 3rd, 2025
Indian Air Force Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as part of Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4).
The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in May 2025 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission will be a significant milestone in India's growing participation in global space exploration.
Shukla has logged over 2,000 flying hours and will serve as the mission pilot aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. He is one of four private astronauts under the command of former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Shukla is also an astronaut designated for India's ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space aboard domestically developed spacecraft.
About the Mission
The mission will last 14 days and will focus on scientific, educational, and commercial activities in microgravity. Shukla's participation goes beyond science—he aims to showcase Indian culture in space.
According to reports, he will carry artifacts from various regions of India and even perform yoga poses in microgravity. This is one of the first initiatives to combine science with culture in space.
