Axiom-4: Spacecraft carrying Shubhanshu Shukla, 3 others blasts off to ISS successfully

The Axiom-4 Mission, with India’s Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts on board, began its historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. This marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years.

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With this mission, Shukla became the second Indian to travel to space and will be the first to reach the ISS. In 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (retd) travelled to space as part of a Soviet mission.

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 12.01 pm (IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Besides Shukla, the crew includes Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, as commander; and mission specialists Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland (ESA project astronaut) and Tibor Kapu of Hungary (HUNOR astronaut).

In his first message from space, Shukla said this journey to the ISS “is India’s journey of the human space programme”.

“Namaskar, my dear countrymen. What a ride! We are back in space once again after 41 years. It’s an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second. This is not the beginning of my journey to the ISS. This is the beginning of India’s human spaceflight programme. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. You all can participate in this flight and feel the energy, and become a part of this mission. Your chest, too, should swell with pride… Together, let’s initiate India’s human space programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!” he said.

NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro congratulated Axiom Space and SpaceX on the successful launch, stating, “Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, America has expanded international participation and commercial capabilities in low Earth orbit. The US industry is enabling astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary to return to space for the first time in over 40 years. It’s a powerful example of American leadership bringing nations together in pursuit of science, discovery and opportunity.”

In a statement, NASA said the collaboration between NASA and ISRO fulfilled a commitment highlighted by Trump and PM Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the ISS.

The crew will remain aboard the ISS for two weeks, conducting microgravity research, educational outreach and commercial activities before returning to Earth and splashing down off the coast of California.

Following the successful launch, the astronauts revealed the name of their spacecraft: Grace.  Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson explained the significance, “Grace is more than a name. It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth. It speaks to the refinement of our mission, the harmony of science and spirit, and the unmerited favour we carry with humility. Grace reminds us that spaceflight is not just a feat of engineering, but an act of goodwill — for the benefit of every human, everywhere.”

She added, “And we are not alone. With us travels ‘Joy’ —a swan, a symbol of beauty, unity and the shared dreams that lift us beyond our world. Joy inspires us to look outward with wonder and inward with hope. Together, Grace and Joy embody the essence of this mission: to explore with purpose, to connect with compassion, and to dream without limits.”

The Axiom-4 mission, operated by Axiom Space, is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. The launch, delayed multiple times, took place on Wednesday, with docking at the ISS scheduled for Thursday.