As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is piloting the Axiom-4 mission that launched from Florida, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday extended best wishes for the success of the mission.
Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India, celebrated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission as a historic day for India, highlighting the nation's growing role in global space exploration during the India Space Congress 2025.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot of the Axiom Mission 4, shared his favourite song ahead of the launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Unveiling his launch day playlist, the Indian pilot revealed that he loves to listen to Shah Rukh Khan's 'Swades' movie song 'Yuh H
The Union Minister highlighted that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is "possibly" the most important member of the Axiom 4 mission and will perform seven crucial experiments designed by the Indian institutes.
As the Axiom 4 Mission was launched on Wednesday, ISRO scientist Tapan Mishra said that with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, at least one of India's pilots for the Gaganyaan mission will have an experience of going into space.
Following the liftoff of the Axiom 4 mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, along with Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green, Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and others, celebrated the moment in New Delhi.
"This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride. You all also show excitement. Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Progra
The families of Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is heading to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 Mission, were welcomed at the school he attended in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow.
As the Axiom-4 Mission is set to launch on Wednesday, Space Strategist PK Ghosh called it a significant day for India and said that Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will command ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission, leading three to four astronauts into space.
"Dragon's hatch is closed, all communication and suit checks are complete, the seats are rotated, and the Ax-4 crew is ready for launch," SpaceX posted on X.
Ahead of the much-awaited Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station, Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla has joined the four-member crew. The Axiom 4 mission launch is scheduled for 12:01 pm on Wednesday.