The latest update on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla indicates that he entered quarantine with his three crewmates in preparation for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) launch, which was scheduled for June 8, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was set to carry the crew to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Dragon spacecraft for a 14-day mission focused on scientific experiments, outreach, and commercial activities. Shukla, an Indian Air Force Group Captain, was designated as the mission pilot for Ax-4, marking a historic milestone as the first Indian astronaut to visit
the ISS and the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. He was expected to conduct seven to nine microgravity experiments in agriculture, food, and human biology, including studies on sprouting green gram (moong) and fenugreek (methi), to advance India’s space research capabilities. These experiments were intended to support ISRO’s Gaganyaan program and future human spaceflight missions. Shukla expressed gratitude to the Axiom-4 ground staff and emphasized the mission’s significance for India, stating it represents the journey of 1.4 billion Indians. The crew, including mission
commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), underwent rigorous training to prepare for spacecraft operations, emergency response, and ISS systems management.
