New Delhi: After a string of five delays, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s much-anticipated maiden space voyage is finally set to lift off on June 19, 2025. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the new date, marking a major milestone as Shukla prepares to become only the second Indian to travel to space, four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic Indo-Soviet mission in 1984.
The mission, titled Axiom-4 or Mission Akash Ganga, is a collaborative effort between Houston-based Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. It will send a four-member international crew aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched on a Falcon-9 rocket, to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day mission. Alongside Shukla, who serves as the mission’s pilot, the crew includes Dr Peggy Whitson (USA) as mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) as mission specialists.
Dr Whitson, a 64-year-old former NASA astronaut and biochemist, is the most experienced American astronaut with 675 days in space and 10 spacewalks to her name. Currently the Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space, her leadership is expected to offer invaluable mentorship to Shukla and the rest of the team.
The mission was originally scheduled for May 29 but faced repeated delays due to technical and weather-related issues. Among them were a detected liquid oxygen leak during a Falcon-9 static test at Kennedy Space Center and a pressure anomaly aboard the Zvezda Service Module at the ISS. Following rigorous troubleshooting and verification by ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, the problems have now been resolved. In a statement, ISRO confirmed that the Falcon-9 rocket is cleared for launch, and preparations are underway for the June 19 window. Interestingly, the new date has been confirmed by ISRO, while NASA, Axiom, and SpaceX are yet to make official announcements.
During the mission, the crew will carry out 60 scientific experiments, including seven from Indian researchers. Shukla will also take part in a space-to-Earth outreach program and is expected to engage in a live interaction from space with a VIP — potentially India’s Prime Minister. The mission also symbolizes India’s growing commitment to human spaceflight, with the Indian government having invested ₹550 crore to secure a seat for an Indian astronaut.
ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan defended the multiple postponements, stressing that safety must always come first when human lives are involved. Group Captain Shukla, currently in quarantine, has been declared medically fit for the mission. If successful, he will add another proud chapter to India’s space history and serve as an inspiration to a new generation of Indian space enthusiasts.
With the final green light given and all preparations aligned, June 19 now holds the promise of a historic liftoff — one that will elevate India’s role in global human spaceflight and once again place the tricolour among the stars.
