After multiple delays, the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission was finally launched at 2.31am Eastern Time (12.01pm IST) Wednesday and India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with three of his crew mates — veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US) as commander, Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu — soared into space.
Ax-4’s designated pilot, Shukla is only the second Indian to reach space and the first to serve in a critical operational role aboard an International Space Station (ISS) mission.
In the run-up to the mission, Shukla had said: “Even stars are attainable.” He reiterated that he won’t be carrying just instruments and equipment, but the “hopes and dreams of a billion hearts”.
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla sends message from space, says 'All of India part of this journey' - Watch
The mission lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa ’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will now travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The targeted docking time is approximately 7am Eastern Time (around 4.30pm IST) on Thursday, June 26.
This launch opportunity comes after Nasa and Roscosmos (Russian space agency) officials discussed the status of the recent repair work in the transfer tunnel at the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module.
Based on the evaluations, Nasa and Roscosmos agreed to further lower the pressure in the transfer tunnel to 100mm of mercury, and teams will continue to evaluate going forward. Nasa said safety remains a top priority for the agency and Roscosmos.
“Nasa and Roscosmos have a long history of cooperation and collaboration on the ISS. This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach and now Ax-4 launch and docking will proceed,” said acting Nasa administrator Janet Petro.
For this mission, Nasa is responsible for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft’s approach to the space station, continues during the crew’s stay aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting science, education, and commercial activities, and concludes once the spacecraft departs the station.
As of now, while the launch and separation of the Dragon capsule has been successful, the journey to the ISS is not a straight line. Over the course of the next 24 to 28 hours, Dragon will execute a series of engine burns using its onboard thrusters. These raise and adjust its orbit, allowing it to phase into alignment with the space station’s path.
These manoeuvres are planned down to the second. Even a slight delay could affect the rendezvous window. Dragon uses GPS data, radar, and its own sensors to continuously track both its position and that of the ISS.
Once Dragon is within range, it begins a slow and measured approach. It halts at several pre-set points — called waypoints — starting from 400 metres out and moving progressively closer. At each stage, ground controllers and onboard systems assess whether to proceed.
At around 20 metres, Dragon will make its final approach. Using a suite of laser-based sensors and cameras, it aligns precisely with the docking port on the station’s Harmony module. The spacecraft then moves forward at just a few centimetres per second until it makes contact.
The first stage is a soft capture, where magnets gently pull the capsule into position. This is followed by a hard capture: mechanical latches and hooks secure the spacecraft, and a pressure-tight seal is formed between Dragon and the ISS.
Once docking is completed, the crew is not immediately allowed to exit their vehicle and enter the station. Engineers on the ground conduct a series of leak checks and confirm that the pressure inside the docking vestibule is stable. Once verified, the hatches between Dragon and the ISS will open.
The Ax-4 astronauts then float into the space station, greeted by its current residents. Over the next two weeks, they will conduct a range of scientific experiments, including biomedical studies that could inform treatments for diseases like diabetes. For Shukla, the mission pilot, it marks not just a personal milestone but a proud moment for India’s expanding role in global space exploration.
While India sent its first astronaut to space — Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma — four decades ago, Shukla's mission represents a quantum leap. He's not merely flying to space, he's serving as the pilot on one of the most research-intensive commercial missions to the ISS ever attempted.
The four-member will carry out more than 60 science experiments, including seven from India. These include experiments on metabolic diseases, microgravity’s effects on muscle and plant growth, microbial behaviour, cognitive function, and materials testing. Researchers from more than 30 countries have contributed to the mission payload.
The crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US) as commander, Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu, and Shukla, an IAF test pilot, whose role is part of a broader Indian ambition to gain spaceflight experience ahead of the Gaganyaan programme, the country’s first crewed space mission.
SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, designated C213, once in orbit, it will take roughly 28 hours to reach the ISS. Upon completion of their science programme, the crew will undock and splash down off the coast of California.
Shukla’s responsibilities encompass monitoring critical flight systems, executing manual docking procedures if required, and supporting crew safety during launch and return.
His extensive preparation spans months of training with Axiom, Nasa, ESA and SpaceX for this mission, and Russia’s Gagarin Centre as part of Gaganyaan, building on over 2,000 flying hours as a test pilot.
Ax-4’s designated pilot, Shukla is only the second Indian to reach space and the first to serve in a critical operational role aboard an International Space Station (ISS) mission.
In the run-up to the mission, Shukla had said: “Even stars are attainable.” He reiterated that he won’t be carrying just instruments and equipment, but the “hopes and dreams of a billion hearts”.
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla sends message from space, says 'All of India part of this journey' - Watch
The mission lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa ’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will now travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The targeted docking time is approximately 7am Eastern Time (around 4.30pm IST) on Thursday, June 26.
This launch opportunity comes after Nasa and Roscosmos (Russian space agency) officials discussed the status of the recent repair work in the transfer tunnel at the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module.
Based on the evaluations, Nasa and Roscosmos agreed to further lower the pressure in the transfer tunnel to 100mm of mercury, and teams will continue to evaluate going forward. Nasa said safety remains a top priority for the agency and Roscosmos.
“Nasa and Roscosmos have a long history of cooperation and collaboration on the ISS. This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach and now Ax-4 launch and docking will proceed,” said acting Nasa administrator Janet Petro.
For this mission, Nasa is responsible for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft’s approach to the space station, continues during the crew’s stay aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting science, education, and commercial activities, and concludes once the spacecraft departs the station.
As of now, while the launch and separation of the Dragon capsule has been successful, the journey to the ISS is not a straight line. Over the course of the next 24 to 28 hours, Dragon will execute a series of engine burns using its onboard thrusters. These raise and adjust its orbit, allowing it to phase into alignment with the space station’s path.
These manoeuvres are planned down to the second. Even a slight delay could affect the rendezvous window. Dragon uses GPS data, radar, and its own sensors to continuously track both its position and that of the ISS.
Once Dragon is within range, it begins a slow and measured approach. It halts at several pre-set points — called waypoints — starting from 400 metres out and moving progressively closer. At each stage, ground controllers and onboard systems assess whether to proceed.
At around 20 metres, Dragon will make its final approach. Using a suite of laser-based sensors and cameras, it aligns precisely with the docking port on the station’s Harmony module. The spacecraft then moves forward at just a few centimetres per second until it makes contact.
The first stage is a soft capture, where magnets gently pull the capsule into position. This is followed by a hard capture: mechanical latches and hooks secure the spacecraft, and a pressure-tight seal is formed between Dragon and the ISS.
Once docking is completed, the crew is not immediately allowed to exit their vehicle and enter the station. Engineers on the ground conduct a series of leak checks and confirm that the pressure inside the docking vestibule is stable. Once verified, the hatches between Dragon and the ISS will open.
The Ax-4 astronauts then float into the space station, greeted by its current residents. Over the next two weeks, they will conduct a range of scientific experiments, including biomedical studies that could inform treatments for diseases like diabetes. For Shukla, the mission pilot, it marks not just a personal milestone but a proud moment for India’s expanding role in global space exploration.
While India sent its first astronaut to space — Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma — four decades ago, Shukla's mission represents a quantum leap. He's not merely flying to space, he's serving as the pilot on one of the most research-intensive commercial missions to the ISS ever attempted.
The four-member will carry out more than 60 science experiments, including seven from India. These include experiments on metabolic diseases, microgravity’s effects on muscle and plant growth, microbial behaviour, cognitive function, and materials testing. Researchers from more than 30 countries have contributed to the mission payload.
The crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US) as commander, Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu, and Shukla, an IAF test pilot, whose role is part of a broader Indian ambition to gain spaceflight experience ahead of the Gaganyaan programme, the country’s first crewed space mission.
SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, designated C213, once in orbit, it will take roughly 28 hours to reach the ISS. Upon completion of their science programme, the crew will undock and splash down off the coast of California.
Shukla’s responsibilities encompass monitoring critical flight systems, executing manual docking procedures if required, and supporting crew safety during launch and return.
His extensive preparation spans months of training with Axiom, Nasa, ESA and SpaceX for this mission, and Russia’s Gagarin Centre as part of Gaganyaan, building on over 2,000 flying hours as a test pilot.
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