Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to travel to space and board the International Space Station (ISS). He will fly as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, now scheduled to launch on June 11, 2025, at 5:30p.m. IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Following in the footsteps of Kalpana Chawla and Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, Shukla’s journey marks India’s return to human spaceflight after a 41-year hiatus. The mission, originally slated for June 10, was postponed by a day due to poor weather—highlighting the rigorous safety standards for such high-stakes launches.
Beyond being a personal milestone, the mission underscores India’s advancing capabilities in space and aligns with the country’s aspirations under the Gaganyaan programme.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan is in the US to witness the historic launch, accompanied by a team from ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre, including Gaganyaan flight surgeons.
Shukla to carry postcards as mementoes
As part of his journey, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will carry a special set of six themed postcards designed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. These cards serve as a symbolic tribute to India’s space aspirations from one of its foremost scientific institutions. Each postcard highlights IISc’s century-long legacy and contributions to space science—featuring pioneers like Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, as well as inspirational messages such as “Knowledge has no limits. Keep seeking, and it can take you places—on Earth, or in Space,” and “From a Small Step to the Giant Leap.”
The postcards, adorned with artistic depictions of campus life and iconic buildings, will be certified by NASA after Shukla’s return and preserved as the institute’s first space-flown souvenirs.
Shukla will also carry a surprise memento for Wing Commander (retd) Rakesh Sharma—India’s first astronaut and mentor to the Gaganyaan team—adding a personal touch to this milestone mission.
