isro-confirms-19th-june-as-launch-date-for-axiom-4-mission

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s much-anticipated maiden spaceflight is now scheduled for launch on 19 June 2025, following a brief delay earlier this year.

 

The announcement was made after a high-level coordination meeting between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Axiom Space, and SpaceX.

 

Shukla, a serving pilot in the Indian Air Force and one of ISRO’s newest astronauts, will be aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, which is set to lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

 

The mission will be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which has now been cleared for use after engineers resolved a previously detected liquid oxygen leak.

 

This launch will mark a historic moment for India’s space programme, as Shukla is set to become one of the few Indians to visit the International Space Station (ISS).

 

His participation underscores India’s growing footprint in human spaceflight and highlights ISRO’s ambitions in collaboration with international partners.

 

The Ax-04 mission will include an international crew and forms part of Axiom Space’s broader strategy to increase commercial access to low-Earth orbit.

 

The company eventually aims to construct the world’s first commercial space station, further expanding opportunities in space exploration and research.

 

As part of his mission, Shukla will conduct seven experiments designed in India and participate in collaborative research efforts with NASA aboard the ISS.

 

These experiments are expected to contribute to advancements in life sciences, space medicine, and materials research.

 

While the Ax-04 mission remains on track, Axiom Space and NASA continue to monitor a separate issue aboard the ISS—a pressure anomaly in the Zvezda Service Module.

 

Officials have clarified that this anomaly is unrelated to the upcoming launch but remains under observation as part of ongoing safety protocols.

 

Axiom Space has assured all stakeholders that crew safety remains the highest priority. Officials stated that every precaution is being taken to ensure mission success and the wellbeing of all astronauts involved.

 

Shukla’s journey is being hailed as a proud moment for India, with experts and the public alike celebrating the milestone as an inspiration to young scientists and space enthusiasts across the country.