Historic Space Mission
On June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force made history by launching into space, becoming India’s first astronaut in 41 years since Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
Shukla is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private space mission organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. The launch took place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule.
“I’m not going alone. 1.4 billion Indians are flying with me,” said Shukla before the launch.
International Crew
Shukla is joined by:
Peggy Whitson (USA) – Mission Commander and veteran NASA astronaut
Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Payload Specialist
Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) – Mission Specialist
The team is headed to the International Space Station (ISS) for a multi-day mission focused on microgravity science experiments and international collaboration.
National Pride Ignites
The launch sparked massive celebrations across India:
PM Modi hailed it as a proud moment for all Indians.
In Lucknow, Shukla’s parents watched the live stream with students cheering and music bands playing in celebration.
ISRO invested (INR) 500 crore ($59 million) to secure Shukla’s seat and training — a move that will boost India's preparation for future missions, including plans for a space station by 2035 and a Moon mission by 2040.
Watch the Launch:
India Sends First Astronaut To Space After 41 Years – YouTube