Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Pilot Axiom-4 Mission To International Space Station: NASA

NASA has approved the Axiom-4 mission, which will have India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as its pilot.

The mission, set for a 14-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), will include three additional astronauts.

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who currently serves as Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, will command the mission.

Meanwhile, ISRO astronaut and Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla will take on the role of pilot.

Whitson and Shukla will be accompanied by two European Space Agency (ESA) project astronauts—Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

“I am excited to see continued interest and dedication for the private astronaut missions aboard the International Space Station. As NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment," Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Programme said.

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will carry the crew to the ISS.

Upon arrival, the private astronauts intend to spend around 14 days conducting experiments and other planned activities in the microgravity environment.

Shubhanshu Shukla will make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS.

A serving officer in the Indian Air Force, he has also been chosen as an astronaut for India’s Gaganyaan Mission.

“Working with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been a deeply rewarding experience. Each crew member brings unique strengths and perspectives, making our mission not just a scientific endeavor, but a testament to human ingenuity and teamwork," Peggy Whitson added.

Axiom Space previously launched its first private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 1, in April 2022, completing a 17-day stay at the ISS.

Axiom Mission 2, also commanded by Whitson, followed in May 2023 with a four-member crew of private astronauts.

Axiom-4 marks an important milestone in Indo-US space collaboration.

The mission was officially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States last year.

As part of their preparation, Shukla and his backup, Group Captain Prashanth Nair, have undergone extensive training with international partners, including Nasa, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

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