ISRO: Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut, will become the first Indian to participate in Axiom Space’s private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He will serve as the pilot aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), set to launch in spring 2025 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

The Ax-4 crew, including Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland, ESA), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS conducting scientific research, outreach programs, and commercial activities. This mission marks a significant collaboration between NASA, ISRO, ESA, and Axiom Space, further strengthening India's presence in global space exploration.

Axiom Space has scheduled a virtual press conference on January 30 to discuss mission objectives and crew preparations. Shukla, a skilled Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, was officially selected for the mission by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024. His participation reflects India’s expanding role in international space missions