New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has entered the final isolation phase ahead of his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), scheduled to launch on June 8 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Shukla, who will serve as the pilot, will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. He will be joined by Peggy Whitson, a seasoned NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight, who will command the mission, along with two first-time space travelers: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland (ESA project astronaut) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
In preparation for the mission, Shukla and his international crewmates began a strict pre-launch quarantine designed to keep them healthy and infection-free, a crucial step given the confined environment of the ISS where illnesses could threaten the safety of both the new crew and those already aboard. The quarantine period, lasting about 14 days, involves isolation from the public, enhanced hygiene protocols, daily health checks, and limited contact, with mission briefings and training conducted under controlled conditions.
Before entering quarantine, the crew was given a ceremonial send-off by Axiom Space employees, where Shukla expressed confidence in the mission’s success. During their 14-day stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will carry out a series of microgravity experiments, technology demonstrations, and public outreach activities. Their rigorous training included sessions at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Center in Germany, and SpaceX facilities, covering everything from technical systems to emergency protocols.
This mission marks a milestone not only for India but also for Poland and Hungary, with Shukla becoming India’s first astronaut to reach the ISS since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 spaceflight aboard a Russian Soyuz.
