Dragon returns with Sunita Williams: It will next fly this Indian astronaut to space

Scheduled for launch in spring 2025, Ax-4 will mark the first time an Indian astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private mission.

In Short

• Axiom-4 mission is set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
• This mission will last approximately 14 days
• Ax-4 crew plans to engage in scientific research

Following the successful return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, attention now shifts to the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which has India written all over it.

The private mission promises to be a landmark event in space exploration.

Scheduled for launch in spring 2025, Ax-4 will mark the first time an Indian astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private mission.

The Axiom-4 mission is set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida using a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

This mission will last approximately 14 days and will involve a diverse crew of astronauts from various backgrounds.

In addition to Shukla, who is test pilot in the Indian Air Force and also part of India’s Gaganyaan program, the crew will include former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson as commander, along with European Space Agency astronauts Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

During their time aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew plans to engage in scientific research, outreach initiatives, and commercial activities.

This mission is part of a broader collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), highlighting the increasing role of private companies in human spaceflight.

As Dana Weigel, manager of NASA's ISS Program, stated, “Private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment”.

The significance of Ax-4 extends beyond its immediate objectives; it represents a step toward greater international cooperation in space exploration and commercial activities.

Isro will be closely monitoring the Ax-4 mission as the learnings from the mission will be inculcated into the Gaganyaan Mission.

With Axiom Space aiming to develop the world’s first commercial space station, this mission is a crucial part of that long-term vision.

As preparations for Ax-4 continue, excitement builds around Shukla's historic journey and the potential advancements it may bring to human spaceflight.