Axiom Mission 4: Lucknow-born Shubhanshu Shukla to be first Indian astronaut to travel to ISS

In a proud moment for India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a fighter pilot born in Lucknow, is all set to become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. This would also establish Shukla as the second Indian to travel to space, 41 years after IAF Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma's historic 1984 flight aboard the Salyut 7 station.

As part of the Indo-US Axiom-4 Mission, Shubhanshu will launch aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, with three other crew members from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, on June 10 at 8:22 AM (ET). After a nearly 28-hour journey, the crew is expected to reach the ISS on June 11 around 10 PM IST. The mission is scheduled to last for 14 days.

At 39, Shubhanshu, fondly known as "Shux", is the youngest astronaut trained under ISRO’s Gaganyaan program. He calls this opportunity “a dream come true” and hopes his journey will spark curiosity among Indian youth. “I carry not just equipment, but the dreams of a billion people,” he says.

During the 14-day mission, Shukla will pilot the spacecraft, conduct food and nutrition experiments in microgravity, like sprouting methi and moong. It will also include interacting with school students and India's PM, from space.

With veterans like Peggy Whitson as Commander, this mission is a key milestone in India’s global space ambitions. As Shukla heads to low Earth orbit, all eyes back home are watching with pride and hope for what lies beyond.