Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Pilot Axiom Mission 4 in 2025

INIndia|

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled to launch no earlier than spring 2025 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks a significant milestone, as Shukla will become the second Indian to fly into space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984, officials announced on Thursday.

Shukla, currently serving in the Indian Air Force, has undergone extensive training for the private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He was selected for Ax-4 by the Indian Space Research Organisation, which is also preparing him for India's Gaganyaan Mission. In a statement, Shukla expressed his excitement about experiencing microgravity and hinted at performing yoga aboard the ISS, similar to Sharma.

Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, will command the mission, emphasizing the importance of teamwork among the diverse crew. Axiom's previous missions have successfully paved the way for private astronauts at the ISS since the inaugural Ax-1 flight in April 2022.

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