The world is preparing for a major milestone in human space exploration. On May 29, 2025, at precisely 1:03 p.m. Eastern Time, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On board the Crew Dragon spacecraft will be the crew of Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, a mission that brings together talent, science, and ambition from across the globe.
Among the four astronauts heading to the International Space Station is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated pilot from the Indian Air Force. His participation in the mission has captured attention not only in India but around the world. Once the spacecraft docks with the ISS, Shukla will become the first Indian to visit the orbiting laboratory and the first Indian in space in nearly forty years. But Ax-4 isn’t just about personal milestones. It reflects a much larger transformation in global space exploration, one defined by international partnerships and private-public collaboration.
A Crew of Global Pioneers
Leading the Ax-4 mission is Peggy Whitson, one of the most respected names in human spaceflight. With several missions under her belt and more time spent in space than any other American astronaut, Whitson is now blazing a new trail in commercial space travel. She will command the mission under Axiom Space, a private company aiming to build the world’s first commercial space station.
Joining Whitson and Shukla are two European astronauts: Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Both are flying with support from the European Space Agency. Their inclusion underscores the increasing interest of Central and Eastern European nations in space science and deep-space research.
Together, this diverse crew will spend about two weeks aboard the ISS. Their time in orbit will be dedicated to carrying out scientific experiments across multiple disciplines, including biotechnology, material science, Earth observation, and human physiology. These studies are expected to yield important data that will help future missions go farther and last longer, including potential journeys to the Moon and Mars.
Shubhanshu Shukla: From Fighter Jets to Zero Gravity
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s path to space has been one of determination, discipline, and inspiration. Raised in the city of Lucknow, he attended City Montessori School, where he built a strong academic foundation. But it was the 1998 Kargil War that left a lasting impression on him. Moved by a sense of duty and patriotism, he quietly applied for the National Defence Academy entrance exam and cleared it, setting him on a military path.
Shukla joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 and quickly rose through the ranks, building a reputation as an exceptional pilot and leader. He has logged over 2,000 flying hours on aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, and Jaguar. His operational and technical expertise earned him recognition as a test pilot and combat leader.
In 2019, he was shortlisted by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine for India’s human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. His astronaut training began in Russia at the prestigious Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, and he completed basic training there in 2021. Upon his return to India, he continued advanced training at ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru and earned an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
In February 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Shukla as one of the astronauts selected for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. While that mission is still in development, his inclusion in Ax-4 gives him a rare opportunity to gain experience aboard the ISS. His backup for the Ax-4 mission is fellow Air Force officer and astronaut trainee, Group Captain Prasanth Nair.
Science Without Borders
Ax-4 is not just about astronauts flying to space. It's about what they will accomplish once they’re there. Axiom Space has confirmed that the mission will carry nearly 60 experiments from 31 countries. It’s a level of international scientific collaboration rarely seen in a single mission.
India’s scientific contribution to Ax-4 is especially significant. ISRO, in collaboration with leading Indian research institutions, has selected seven experiments to fly aboard the mission. These include studies on how microalgae and cyanobacteria grow in microgravity, how human muscle cells regenerate in space, and how seeds sprout without gravity. Among the crops being tested are moong beans and fenugreek, both of which are important in Indian diets and may prove useful for long-term food sustainability in space.
Another key area of research is human-computer interaction. With astronauts increasingly relying on advanced interfaces and semi-autonomous systems, understanding how humans engage with these technologies in a zero-gravity environment is essential. These findings could improve both space systems and technology used on Earth, especially in fields like remote surgery and robotics.
Beyond India, other countries are also contributing to the science payload. Nations like Brazil, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, and several European states are sending experiments related to renewable energy, climate change, medicine, and more. The Ax-4 mission is shaping up to be one of the most scientifically diverse private spaceflights in history.
The Economics of Exploration
While the mission’s goals are largely scientific, it also represents a considerable financial commitment. Each seat aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule is estimated to cost between $55 and $65 million. That puts the cost of Shukla’s seat alone at around ₹500 crore.
For some, these numbers might raise eyebrows. But the investment serves many purposes. For India, it's a strategic declaration of its readiness to take on bigger roles in global space efforts. For Axiom Space, the mission validates its model of commercial space services. And for the global research community, it provides a unique platform to test hypotheses and technologies that could change how we live, both on and off Earth.
Toward a Shared Future in Space
The Ax-4 mission is more than a technological milestone. It is a reflection of how far the global space community has come and where it’s headed. In an era where space is no longer the exclusive domain of superpowers, this mission shows that meaningful exploration is now being shaped by a wider coalition of countries and companies working together.
Shukla’s participation in the mission is a proud moment not just for India, but for the broader idea of what international space cooperation can achieve. Whether it’s the leadership of Peggy Whitson, the rising space programs of Poland and Hungary, or the growing research contributions from countries like India and Nigeria, Ax-4 is a demonstration of how shared ambition can produce remarkable outcomes.
The long-term vision goes beyond this mission. Axiom Space is already laying the groundwork for the first commercial space station, which is intended to replace the International Space Station when it’s decommissioned later this decade. Missions like Ax-4 are helping to build the operational experience and international trust needed to make that vision a reality.
As launch day approaches, the sense of anticipation grows. When the rocket lifts off from Florida, it won’t just be carrying four astronauts. It will be carrying the hopes of scientists, engineers, and dreamers from around the world. The journey from Earth to orbit is always symbolic, and in this case, it represents something more than just altitude. It represents the elevation of our shared potential.
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