๐ Axiom-4 Launch: Mission with India's Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Take-Off Today
After multiple delays, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is finally poised for lift-off to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission features India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut trained in collaboration with ISRO and Axiom Space, alongside three other international crew members. The launch is scheduled for Wednesday, with SpaceX confirming 90% favorable weather conditions for takeoff.
“All systems are looking good for Wednesday’s launch of @Axiom_Space’s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station,” SpaceX said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The mission marks a new chapter in India's growing role in global human spaceflight programs.
๐ง๐ Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Shubhanshu Shukla, the pride of India, is part of a growing league of astronauts representing ISRO in international missions. With a background in aerospace engineering and extensive training under both ISRO and NASA-affiliated programs, Shukla's inclusion in Ax-4 showcases India's technical and diplomatic space ambitions.
He becomes one of the few Indian astronauts to venture toward the ISS, following the legacy of Rakesh Sharma and recent space collaborations.
๐ About Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
Ax-4 is part of a broader program by Axiom Space, a private aerospace company aiming to make low Earth orbit more commercially accessible. The mission is being launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft, taking the four-member team to the ISS for scientific research and educational outreach.
Crew Members on Ax-4:
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๐ฎ๐ณ Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
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๐บ๐ธ Axiom-trained commercial astronaut
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish crew member
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๐ฏ๐ต Japanese science specialist
The Ax-4 mission will last approximately 10–14 days, during which the crew will conduct microgravity experiments, Earth observation tasks, and space-based technology demonstrations.
๐ค️ Launch Timing & Weather Update
The launch window opens at 10:14 AM EST (7:44 PM IST) from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Weather forecasts show 90% go conditions, increasing confidence in a successful liftoff.
If weather or technical issues cause another delay, the backup window is set for the next 24 hours.
๐ฎ๐ณ India’s Expanding Role in Global Space Missions
The Ax-4 mission reflects the growing collaboration between India and private international space players. While ISRO prepares for its own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 helps accelerate India’s astronaut readiness and technological partnerships.
๐ What’s Next After Axiom-4?
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ISRO’s Gaganyaan crewed mission is expected in late 2025 or early 2026
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More joint astronaut training programs between ISRO, Axiom, and NASA
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Axiom plans to build the first commercial space station, where Indian astronauts may train or conduct long-term missions
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Source: Originally reported by Times of India
