Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla to Create History as He Embarks on Space Mission
Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is all set to create history by embarking on a space mission. After multiple delays, the final countdown for his space journey has finally begun. According to NASA, four astronauts, including Shukla, will launch into space today aboard the Dragon spacecraft as part of the Axiom-4 mission.
The SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket will lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying the space capsule into orbit. Shubanshu Shukla will serve as the mission pilot.
This mission has faced five postponements so far. Initially scheduled for May 29, it was later shifted to June 8, then June 10, June 11, and finally to June 19. The June 11 launch was delayed due to a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 rocket.
Now, with all systems ready, Shukla is expected to make his space debut on Wednesday via the Falcon-9 launch vehicle. The other three astronauts on this mission include Mission Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and Slawosz from Poland. The mission is being conducted by Axiom Space in collaboration with the space agencies of the U.S., Europe, and India. With this mission, Shukla is poised to break multiple records.
Approximately 28 hours after launch, the spacecraft will dock with the International Space Station (ISS). The four astronauts will spend two weeks aboard the ISS. During their stay, they are expected to interact with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aspiring students, and space scientists directly from space.
The Indian government has reportedly spent ₹550 crore (approximately $66 million) for Shukla’s participation in this mission. He is also one of the candidates shortlisted for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan project. This spaceflight will provide him with valuable experience for the future Indian human spaceflight program.
The scheduled take-off is at 12:01 PM on June 25, and docking with the ISS is expected at 4:36 PM on June 26. Shubanshu Shukla will become the first Indian to set foot on the ISS — a major milestone since Rakesh Sharma’s space journey in 1984.
His mission is expected to inspire interest in space science among Indian youth and boost the country’s ambitions in the space sector. This is not just a journey — it marks a new chapter in the history of Indian space exploration.