Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has completed the final launch rehearsal ahead of his much-anticipated maiden voyage to the International Space Station (ISS).
As part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, Shukla, along with astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary, successfully conducted a full dress rehearsal, mimicking launch day procedures.
The Ax-4 crew, led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, donned SpaceX flight suits and went through the entire sequence from leaving the assembly building to entering the Dragon spacecraft atop the Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 5:54 PM IST, will carry the astronauts to the ISS for a 14-day science expedition.
During their time in space, the Ax-4 crew will engage in over 60 scientific experiments, focusing on human research, Earth observation, and biological studies. The mission also marks a major milestone for India, as Shukla will become the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who made history in 1984.
Reflecting on his journey, Shukla said, “It has been an amazing experience. These moments remind me that I am part of something much larger than myself. I feel extremely fortunate to embark on this mission.”
As India watches with anticipation, this mission not only solidifies its presence in space exploration but also inspires a new generation of dreamers eager to reach for the stars.
