KKN Gurugram Desk | In a proud moment for Indian space science and global space collaboration, Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO-trained astronaut, is all set to travel to space on June 19, 2025. The launch date for the Ax-04 mission, a collaborative spaceflight involving ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, has now been officially confirmed after previous technical delays.

This mission marks a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight program and strengthens international ties in the field of scientific research and space exploration.

 Ax-04 Mission Launch: New Date Confirmed

The Ax-04 mission was earlier put on indefinite hold due to a liquid oxygen leakage issue discovered in the Falcon 9 rocket, which will be used to launch the mission. Engineers at SpaceX have now successfully resolved the issue, clearing the path for the upcoming launch.

The launch is scheduled to take place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. This mission will make Shubhanshu Shukla one of the few Indians to have visited the International Space Station (ISS), joining the ranks of Rakesh Sharma and other spaceflight pioneers.

🇮🇳 India’s Role in Ax-04: Scientific Experiments in Space

What makes this mission particularly notable is India’s scientific contribution. During his time aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct seven space experiments designed by Indian researchers. These experiments span areas such as:

• Microgravity effects on cellular biology

• Material behavior in space

• Radiation shielding technologies

• Indian-origin payload system diagnostics

Additionally, Shukla will collaborate with NASA scientists on joint research projects, a move that further boosts India’s standing in global space innovation.

 What Is the Ax-04 Mission?

Ax-04 is the fourth crewed mission by Axiom Space, a private aerospace company based in the U.S. The mission is being facilitated by SpaceX, which will provide the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Crew Dragon spacecraft. The mission’s goal is to transport astronauts to the ISS for research, training, and low Earth orbit (LEO) exploration.

Key Collaborators:

• Axiom Space: Mission lead and commercial payload manager

• SpaceX: Rocket and spacecraft provider

• ISRO: Scientific payload and astronaut training partner

• NASA: Hosting and support via the ISS and technical oversight

The Ax-04 mission also aligns with Axiom’s long-term vision of building the world’s first commercial space station, aiming to replace parts of the ISS by the early 2030s.

 Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla is a decorated officer of the Indian Air Force and one of the leading candidates from ISRO’s astronaut training program under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight initiative. His selection for the Ax-04 mission reflects:

• India’s growing footprint in international space collaborations

• Confidence in Indian astronauts for high-stakes missions

• Robust training and scientific readiness provided by ISRO

Shukla’s participation marks a new era in India’s global space representation and will inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers back home.

 Technical Challenges and Their Resolution

The initial delay in the Ax-04 mission was due to a liquid oxygen leak identified in the Falcon 9 rocket during pre-launch testing. SpaceX engineers worked swiftly to fix the issue. A joint technical review was conducted involving:

• Engineers from SpaceX

• Mission control specialists at Axiom Space

• Payload scientists from ISRO

• International coordination from NASA

After detailed assessments, all agencies approved the revised timeline. This collaboration highlights the importance of multinational technical synergy in space missions.

 ISS Pressure Monitoring: Not Linked to Ax-04, But Important

Interestingly, during the same period, a pressure anomaly was reported in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station. Although this issue is unrelated to the Ax-04 mission, it underscores the complexities of long-term human habitation in space.

NASA and Axiom Space are currently monitoring the situation, reinforcing the importance of onboard diagnostics, emergency protocols, and modular station designs in the future.

 Strategic Importance for India

This mission is a strategic leap forward for India’s ambitions in the field of space exploration and human spaceflight. It not only strengthens India’s relationship with NASA and private aerospace giants like SpaceX and Axiom but also:

• Promotes Indian scientific innovation in microgravity research

• Positions ISRO as a reliable collaborator in manned missions

• Expands India’s soft power through technological diplomacy

Moreover, these developments are aligned with India’s Gaganyaan program, which aims to send Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft by 2026.

What Makes the Indian Experiments Unique?

India’s seven space experiments are customized to explore indigenous challenges and technologies, including:

• ISRO-developed space health diagnostics systems

• India-specific material testing under microgravity

• Space food storage behavior for long-duration flights

These experiments are expected to provide critical data for India’s future space missions and may even contribute to long-term lunar or Mars mission planning.

 What’s Next?

Important Dates:

Following this mission, ISRO is expected to integrate some of its findings into the Gaganyaan test modules, scheduled for the end of 2025.

The upcoming spaceflight of Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla is not just another astronaut launch—it is a landmark event symbolizing India’s rise as a credible, capable, and collaborative space power. With multiple stakeholders involved, cutting-edge research on board, and a strong international alliance, this mission is poised to be one of the most impactful scientific milestones of 2025.