New Delhi
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has invited the public to watch the historic launch of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 project, will be livestreamed on YouTube on June 10 at 3:45 PM IST, with the liftoff scheduled for 5:52 PM IST.
Group Captain Shukla, a former fighter pilot with 15 years of experience, will be India's second astronaut to reach space since Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984. In a heartfelt video shared by Axiom Space, Shukla spoke of his inspiration from Sharma, his unexpected selection for the mission, and his gratitude for the opportunity. He emphasized that his journey was about more than personal achievement—he hopes to inspire the next generation of Indians to dream big.
The Ax-4 mission includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, all embarking on their countries’ first mission to the ISS. This marks their second-ever human spaceflight missions after more than four decades. Shukla joins a diverse and talented team, including Peggy Whitson, who commands the mission, and fellow astronauts Slawosz Uznanski and Tibor Kapu.
As mission pilot, Shukla is praised for his deep knowledge, calm approach, and leadership. He called the mission a life-changing journey and expressed his desire to spark curiosity and ambition in young minds back in India.
