He was once just their son. Today, he belongs to the entire nation. In a historic leap for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is now more than a name—he’s a national emotion. Proudly hailed as Bharat ka Beta, Shukla becomes the first ISRO astronaut to live and work aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
This moment marks a defining chapter in India’s space journey as Shukla joins the elite AXIOM-4 (Ax-4) mission — a groundbreaking collaboration between Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA.
INDIA’S FLAG IN ORBIT: AX-4 MISSION OVERVIEW
Launch Date: June 25, 2025, 12:01 PM IST
Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
Spacecraft: Crew Dragon “Grace” (first flight)
Destination: International Space Station (Docked on June 26)
Mission Duration: 16 days (14 aboard the ISS)
Splashdown Site: Pacific Ocean, off the California coast
With this mission, India officially enters the global stage of commercial spaceflight, aligning itself with the future of international space exploration.
MEET THE CREW
- Peggy Whitson (USA): Mission Commander and NASA veteran
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India): IAF Group Captain, ISRO astronaut
- Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye): Turkish Air Force pilot
- Walter Villadei (Italy): Italian Air Force Colonel and aerospace expert
This international team embodies the spirit of global scientific collaboration and space diplomacy.
A MILESTONE FOR INDIA
With Shukla’s historic arrival aboard the ISS, India joins the legacy of nations contributing to human spaceflight.
This is more than just a moment of pride—it’s a strategic step forward, laying the groundwork for India’s Gaganyaan mission and deeper global partnerships in science, technology, and innovation.
“India is no longer preparing to reach space. We’re already up there.”
— Reactions pour in as the Indian flag is seen aboard the ISS
MISSION OBJECTIVES
Conducting microgravity-based scientific experiments
Promoting international research partnerships
Engaging in global STEM outreach
Building capabilities for future manned space missions
A NATION CELEBRATES
As visuals of Shukla onboard the ISS make waves across digital platforms, Indians everywhere feel a shared sense of pride and unity.
From classrooms to laboratories, the sentiment is clear:
“He represents all of us.”
To his family, he is a son.
To the world, he is a symbol of scientific progress.
To India, he is Bharat ka Beta.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
The Ax-4 crew will continue their research on the ISS before returning to Earth, with a splashdown scheduled in the Pacific Ocean.
While the mission concludes in a few days, India’s journey in space exploration has only just begun.
The sky is not the limit. It’s just the beginning.
