Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other astronauts, is set to embark on the Axiom-4 commercial mission to the ISS on June 19, as confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission was initially delayed indefinitely due to a leak at the International Space Station.

NASA revealed that the astronauts were originally supposed to launch on May 29 but faced multiple delays, with the latest being on June 11 when a liquid oxygen leak was detected in the Falcon-9 rocket provided by SpaceX.

The Axiom-4 mission will see former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson leading the team, with Shubhanshu Shukla serving as the pilot. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency (ESA) project astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

Overview of the Axiom-4 Mission

This mission will mark India's return to space after 41 years, following Rakesh Sharma's historic spaceflight in 1984. The crew will travel to the ISS on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched by Falcon 9 rocket, with a targeted docking time of Wednesday, June 11.

During their 14-day stay at the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will engage with various individuals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, school students, and space industry leaders.

Significance of the Axiom-4 Mission for India

Shukla will conduct exclusive food and nutrition experiments developed in collaboration with ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA. He will also expose seeds to space conditions and bring them back to earth for cultivation.

ISRO has planned seven experiments for Shukla, who will also take part in five joint studies by NASA for its human research program. His experience on this mission will be crucial for ISRO's Gaganyaan space flight mission scheduled for 2027.

Meet Axiom-4 Mission Astronauts

Peggy Whitson will lead the mission, with Shubhanshu Shukla as the pilot, and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu as mission specialists. This 14-day mission will mark the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary.