NASA Axiom 4 Mission – ‘Here’s to Trump and Modi…’, US State Department lauds India-US collab on Ax4 launch

With over 30 years of experience and the second time commander of Axiom Mission, she was the first female commander of the ISS and has spent 675 days in space. Shubhanshu Shukla talks to Axiom and revealed how he greatly looks up to her.

The intense goals set for the Ax-4 crew’s role at the ISS include everything from radiation experiments to growing plants.

An engineer and a chaser of adventure. Shubhanshu Shukla describes his Hungarian teammate TIbor Kapu as “life” as he brings joy to the entire Axion-4 crew. He is the Mission Specialist.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Falcon 9 undergoing last-minute system check, Shubhanshu Shukla ready to lift-off with crew at 12 noon

The Axiom-4 crew greet family members and pose for a photo-op before proceeding to the SpaceX Dragon Launchpad 39A.

The city of Lucknow is extremely proud of its star, Shubhanshu Shukla, IAF group captain and ISRO’s representative on the Axiom-4 mission. His family and neighbhours express immense pride in him.

“I will only give my best wishes, and my biggest request is that everyone prays for the successful completion of their mission…” said his sister Shuchi Mishra.

“Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla formally joins the other three crew members for the much-awaited launch, as of now, scheduled around 12:01 PM IST today. ”

The Axiom-4 Mission marks India’s 41-year comeback after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. As per media reports, Shukla is taking along with him Indian sweets like halwa and mango nectar.

The Ax-4 mission is also conducting major research. The research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE, and nations across Europe.

For ISRO and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, this mission lays the groundwork for India’s space roadmap to land an Indian on the Moon by 2040.

The Falcon 9 is ready to launch the Ax4 crew into space. “Standing tall on Launch Pad 39A”, the SpaceX dragon is stationed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre ahead of the Axion-4 Mission launch today on June 25.

The Dragon spacecraft is capable of carrying up to 7 passengers to and from Earth orbit, and beyond. It is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth, and is the first private spacecraft to take humans to the space station.

The spacecraft operates on16 Draco and Superdraco engines, each capable of generating 90 pounds of force.

After many delays, the Axiom-4 mission whose pilot is India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) today, June 25. As per SpaceX, the coast is clear and the weather of 90% suitable for lift off.

The Axiom-4 mission launch of Shubhanshu Shukla’s spaceflight is set to take off at 12 noon today, June 25. You can watch it live on the NASA+ or SpaceX website.

A webcast will also be streaming live on social media platform X.

“NASA and Roscosmos have a long history of cooperation and collaboration on the International Space Station. This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach and now Axiom Mission 4 launch and docking will proceed,” said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro.

Shukla, who joined the IAF in June 2006, has logged over 2,000 flight hours across multiple aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG variants, earning a promotion to Group Captain in March 2024.

Selected by ISRO in 2019 for astronaut training, he completed a year-long programme in Russia. PM Modi announced his Gaganyaan mission role in 2024. For the Axiom-4 mission, he goes by the call sign ‘Shux’.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents shared with the media their pride and eagerness for this mission. His mother, Asha and father, Dayal Shukla conveyed their wishes and blessings for tthe Axiom-4 mission. Noting the posters across Lucknow, Dayal Shukla expressed his pride and honour.

Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot of the Axiom Mission 4 is the second Indian set to make his journey to the International Space Station. He is the first since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic mission in 1984.

Wednesday June 25

10 AM: Live streaming of Axiom Space and SpaceX launch begins

11:10 AM: NASA joins live coverage

12.01 PM: Axiom-4 mission launch

” As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station. “

The space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations.

” NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.”

The 60 experiments that will be conducted under the Axion-4 mission will include examining muscle regeneration, growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, survival of tiny aquatic organisms, and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will pilot the Ax-4 mission is one of the four astronauts picked for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.

Shukla is excited as he prepares to pilot the historic Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), leaving an indelible mark on India’s remarkable advancements in human space exploration.

The fortnight-long Axiom mission 4 will entail 60 scientific experiments out of which seven have been proposed by Indian scientists. This commercial venture will also include a space-to-earth outreach program.

The four-member crew is set to join seven others present at the ISS.

The Axiom-4 mission has a four-member crew. They are: Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu.

Stickers, banners, and posters can be seen across Lucknow wishing ISRO’s representative and Shubhanshu Shukla as he is set to script history as the pilot of the Axiom-4 Mission. The Indian Air Force Group Captain hails from the state.

“We are proud of you” “India’s first astronaut to the International Space Station” – say posters.

SpaceX has announced that all systems involved in the launch for the Axiom Mission 4 were “looking good” as NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting a launch at 12 noon.

The crew aboard the Space X Dragon has four members representing NASA, ISRO and the ESA.

Dr Peggy Whitson, is a 64-year-old biochemist and former NASA astronaut is the director of the Axiom mission 4. India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, representing ISRO, is set to pilot the journey to the ISS today, June 25.

The Axiom-4 mission launch of Shubhanshu Shukla’s spaceflight is set to take off at 12 noon today, June 25. You can watch it live on the NASA+ or SpaceX website.

A webcast will also be streaming live on social media platform X.

Join us as we bring live updates from the highly anticipated Axiom-4 mission, a landmark collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, ISRO, and ESA. Indian-origin astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to embark on a remarkable journey to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a proud moment for global space exploration.