ISRO confirms June 19 launch for Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic Ax-04 space mission
PTC Web Desk: India is preparing to witness a landmark moment in its space exploration journey as Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO astronaut Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla gears up for his first space mission. The Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, now rescheduled to launch on June 19, 2025, will mark Shukla's debut in space and his historic visit to the International Space Station (ISS).
The announcement comes shortly after an earlier indefinite postponement due to technical concerns. A key coordination meeting involving the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Axiom Space, and SpaceX has now resolved those issues, giving the mission a green light.
The Ax-04 mission will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, propelled by SpaceX’s dependable Falcon 9 rocket. A previously detected liquid oxygen leak in the launch vehicle had delayed the mission, but SpaceX engineers have successfully addressed and rectified the anomaly, ensuring the rocket’s readiness.
For India, this mission is more than a routine flight. Wing Commander Shukla, one of the country’s newest astronauts, will become one of the few Indians ever to travel to space. His participation signifies a proud milestone in India’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight and its ambition to play a larger role in international space missions.
Joining an international crew aboard the Ax-04, Shukla’s presence highlights the collaborative spirit of modern space exploration. As part of the mission, he will conduct seven scientific experiments developed in India, alongside joint studies with NASA while stationed aboard the ISS.
Meanwhile, mission partner Axiom Space is also monitoring a pressure anomaly in the Zvezda Service Module of the ISS. Although unrelated to the Ax-04 mission, it has further emphasized the complexity of coordinating multinational space efforts. Axiom has reassured all partners that crew safety remains their top priority, and all necessary precautions are being taken.
The Ax-04 mission is a step forward in Axiom Space’s vision of expanding commercial access to low-Earth orbit, paving the way for a future where space is more accessible to nations and institutions across the globe. The mission is also part of Axiom’s long-term goal to construct the first commercial space station.
- With inputs from agencies
