Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla scripted history by embarking on a space odyssey along with three others to the International Space Station as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space on Wednesday.
The much-delayed Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm IST towards the ISS amid cheers from watch parties organised across the world, including at Shukla's City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch.
The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.
Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, a journey that comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's eight days in orbit as part of the then Soviet Union's Salyut-7 space station in 1984. "Greetings from India.. have a fun time guys," Sharma said in a video message.
The targeted docking time is approximately 4.30 pm IST on Thursday, June 26, NASA said in a statement.
LIVE Updates
Jun 25, 2025, 1:16 PM IST
This live blog has ended.
Jun 25, 2025, 1:13 PM IST
On AxiomcMission 4, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green says, "It's a wonderful moment. It's a great moment for India...Group Captain Shukla took off with the other members, and it was such a successful and wonderful liftoff. It's an image of India's coming of age as a great player in space and indeed India's arrival as a major player in global affairs..."
Jun 25, 2025, 1:06 PM IST
From conquering the skies to touching the stars— a journey powered by the indomitable spirit of the IAF Air Warrior. Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla sets forth on a landmark Space Mission, carrying the pride of the nation beyond Earth. This is a dèjà-vu moment for India, 41 years after the mission of Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma, who first carried our Tricolour beyond Earth. Being more than a mission — it is reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizon: Indian Air Force
Jun 25, 2025, 12:50 PM IST
On Axiom Mission 4, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green says, "It's a wonderful moment. It's a great moment for India...Group Captain Shukla took off with the other members, and it was such a successful and wonderful liftoff. It's an image of India's coming of age as a great player in space and indeed India's arrival as a major player in global affairs..."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:38 PM IST
On Axiom Mission 4, Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, says, "I congratulate the whole Indian space community and all Indians here in India and around the world, including South Australia. What an achievement and what a wonderful day for Group Captain Shukla..."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:35 PM IST
"...This heralds the ascent of India to the pedestal of Viksit Bharat," says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on the launch of Axiom 4M ission piloted by IAF's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Jun 25, 2025, 12:34 PM IST
Parents, relatives of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, celebrate as Axiom 4 Mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Parents, relatives of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, celebrate as #Axiom4Mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
Mother of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla says, "These are tears of joy, not of sorrow. The mission has been successful."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:32 PM IST
Father of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla says, "We are deeply thankful to everyone who offered their blessings. We are truly grateful to all those who prayed for our child."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:30 PM IST
We are orbiting earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, I have Indian tricolour on my shoulders. Tricolour tells me I am with you all, it is not just the start of my journey to ISS but also of India's human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey, let us embark on India's human space programme together: Shukla from Dragon spacecraft
Jun 25, 2025, 12:29 PM IST
Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride: Shubhanshu Shukla says 10 minutes into spaceflight.
Jun 25, 2025, 12:24 PM IST
Spacecraft separation confirmed.
Jun 25, 2025, 12:21 PM IST
Parents of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate as Axiom-4 mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.
VIDEO | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Parents of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate as Axiom-4 mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of… pic.twitter.com/6gJR4UaVxB
Mother of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, get emotional as she cheers for her son, who is part of the Axiom Mission 4.
#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Mother of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, gets emotional as she cheers for her son, who is part of the #AxiomMission4pic.twitter.com/62Ki2J3hRU
Once docked, the private astronauts plan to spend about two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprising science, outreach, and commercial activities.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:57 AM IST
As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station, the NASA statement said.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:44 AM IST
The Axiom-4 mission has run into multiple delays, first on account of inclement weather and then due to leaks detected on SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket and later on the Russian module of the International Space Station.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:43 AM IST
The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:27 AM IST
Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, is commanding the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla serves as pilot.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:27 AM IST
After multiple delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are all set to travel to the International Space Station on Wednesday.
After multiple delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are all set to travel to the International Space Station on Wednesday.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:27 am IST
Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, is commanding the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla serves as pilot.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:43 am IST
The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:44 am IST
The Axiom-4 mission has run into multiple delays, first on account of inclement weather and then due to leaks detected on SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket and later on the Russian module of the International Space Station.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:57 am IST
As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station, the NASA statement said.
Jun 25, 2025, 11:58 am IST
Once docked, the private astronauts plan to spend about two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprising science, outreach, and commercial activities.
Mother of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, get emotional as she cheers for her son, who is part of the Axiom Mission 4.
#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Mother of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, gets emotional as she cheers for her son, who is part of the #AxiomMission4pic.twitter.com/62Ki2J3hRU
Dragon has separated from Falcon 9’s second stage.
Jun 25, 2025, 12:21 pm IST
Parents of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate as Axiom-4 mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.
VIDEO | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Parents of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate as Axiom-4 mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of… pic.twitter.com/6gJR4UaVxB
Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride: Shubhanshu Shukla says 10 minutes into spaceflight.
Jun 25, 2025, 12:30 pm IST
We are orbiting earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, I have Indian tricolour on my shoulders. Tricolour tells me I am with you all, it is not just the start of my journey to ISS but also of India's human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey, let us embark on India's human space programme together: Shukla from Dragon spacecraft
Jun 25, 2025, 12:32 pm IST
Father of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla says, "We are deeply thankful to everyone who offered their blessings. We are truly grateful to all those who prayed for our child."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:33 pm IST
Mother of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla says, "These are tears of joy, not of sorrow. The mission has been successful."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:34 pm IST
Parents, relatives of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, celebrate as Axiom 4 Mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Parents, relatives of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, celebrate as #Axiom4Mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
"...This heralds the ascent of India to the pedestal of Viksit Bharat," says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on the launch of Axiom 4M ission piloted by IAF's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Jun 25, 2025, 12:38 pm IST
On Axiom Mission 4, Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, says, "I congratulate the whole Indian space community and all Indians here in India and around the world, including South Australia. What an achievement and what a wonderful day for Group Captain Shukla..."
Jun 25, 2025, 12:50 pm IST
On Axiom Mission 4, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green says, "It's a wonderful moment. It's a great moment for India...Group Captain Shukla took off with the other members, and it was such a successful and wonderful liftoff. It's an image of India's coming of age as a great player in space and indeed India's arrival as a major player in global affairs..."
Jun 25, 2025, 1:06 pm IST
From conquering the skies to touching the stars— a journey powered by the indomitable spirit of the IAF Air Warrior. Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla sets forth on a landmark Space Mission, carrying the pride of the nation beyond Earth. This is a dèjà-vu moment for India, 41 years after the mission of Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma, who first carried our Tricolour beyond Earth. Being more than a mission — it is reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizon: Indian Air Force
Jun 25, 2025, 1:13 pm IST
On AxiomcMission 4, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green says, "It's a wonderful moment. It's a great moment for India...Group Captain Shukla took off with the other members, and it was such a successful and wonderful liftoff. It's an image of India's coming of age as a great player in space and indeed India's arrival as a major player in global affairs..."
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