The Axiom mission was launched on June 25, 2025, at 12:01 p.m. IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission is significant for India as it’s the first time in 41 years that an Indian is returning to human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s mission back in 1984. IAF pilot and group captain, Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three others, lifted off to space for the mission.
They will reportedly fly in a new SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for this mission, whose approximate duration is 14 days. For the unversed, the mission was initially scheduled for May 29, 2025, but it faced multiple delays due to the weather and technical issues. Before lifting off, Shubahnshu Shukla penned an emotional note for his close ones, especially his wife, Dr. Kamna Subha Shukla.
Astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla pens an emotional note before lifting off to space for the Axiom 4 mission
Taking to his IG handle, astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla shared two photos. While one featured the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, the other one was a cutesy moment between him and his wife, Kamna. For the unversed, before the mission, Shubhanshu and the other astronauts were kept in isolation for several days.