Islamabad, July 14, 2025: Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, advancing India’s space ambitions and ISRO’s human spaceflight goals.
Shubhanshu Shukla, an officer of the Indian Air Force, has made history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). His spaceflight was part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a discreetly operated mission directed by Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA.
Shukla is only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s pioneer mission in 1984. His journey marks a remarkable milestone for India’s expanding presence in space study and its ambitions for future human spaceflight.
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The mission launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard Space X’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. Over an 18-day mission in orbit, the team is scheduled to depart from the station on July 14, with landing planned for the following day.
Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 offers significant experience for India’s own human spaceflight aspirations, especially the upcoming Gaganyaan mission scheduled for 2027. The mission gave ISRO valuable experience in space medicine, crew operations, and micro-gravity experiments, key for advancing India’s human spaceflight program.
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The Ax-4 mission also excelled as a model of international collaboration. For Shubhanshu Shukla and India, the mission signals not just a personal accomplishment but a crucial moment in the country’s journey beyond Earth.
