Washington, D.C. / Bengaluru, June 8, 2025 – In a historic leap for India’s space ambitions, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are set to jointly launch Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) on June 10, marking a significant milestone in international space cooperation. The mission will be piloted by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who will become the first ISRO astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS).
The launch, scheduled for 8:22 AM local time (EDT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will be powered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the crew aboard a new-generation Dragon spacecraft. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS at approximately 12:30 PM (EDT) on June 11.
A Historic Collaboration
The Ax-4 mission is the fourth private astronaut mission organized by Axiom Space, and the first featuring an Indian astronaut under the NASA-ISRO collaboration. It fulfills a high-profile commitment made jointly by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at strengthening Indo-U.S. space partnerships.
The mission will include five joint scientific investigations and two in-orbit STEM education demonstrations, underlining a shared vision of advancing human spaceflight, research, and public engagement.
Crew Details
- Peggy Whitson, veteran NASA astronaut and Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the mission.
- Shubhanshu Shukla of ISRO will serve as pilot, marking a new era for India’s human spaceflight program.
- Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland (ESA) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary will serve as mission specialists.
This will also mark the first time astronauts from Poland and Hungary spend time aboard the ISS, adding to the mission’s global significance.
Looking Ahead
The Ax-4 mission signals a new chapter for ISRO as it prepares for its own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, and looks to deepen its collaboration with international partners. For NASA and Axiom Space, the mission extends efforts to democratize space through international and commercial partnerships.
With the launch just days away, anticipation is high across the globe—especially in India, where Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey is being hailed as a symbol of national pride and scientific progress.