The world witnessed a spectacular moment as Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) successfully launched on Wednesday, carrying India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS).
The launch took place at 12:01 p.m. IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was broadcast live and captured in stunning video footage that is now circulating globally.
The video shows the powerful liftoff of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, propelling the Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit with Shukla and his fellow astronauts onboard. The launch was flawless—Falcon 9's engines ignited in a fiery plume, and the capsule separated smoothly as it soared toward the ISS.
Viewers were able to witness the entire sequence live via streams from Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, beginning about two hours before liftoff and continuing through orbital insertion.
Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot and one of four Indian astronauts selected in 2020, is serving as the pilot for this historic mission. This marks the first time an Indian astronaut will visit the ISS, and only the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s journey in 1984.
The mission, which faced multiple delays due to technical issues and weather conditions, is being commanded by veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson. A seasoned spacefarer, Whitson is overseeing the flight operations, scientific expedition, and the mission’s safe launch, docking, and splashdown in July.
Shukla’s participation represents a major milestone in India’s space ambitions and human spaceflight program.
Following launch, Crew Dragon is expected to travel for 28 hours before docking with the ISS on Thursday.
During his 14-day mission in microgravity, Shukla will oversee seven Indian science experiments designed by researchers from across the country.
India's participation in Axiom Mission 4 is poised to provide critical operational experience for the nation’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and its long-term vision of sustained space presence, said Tushar Phadnis, Group Head for Microgravity Platforms and Research at ISRO, during a media interaction with India Today Science.
