New Delhi. Bharat is all set to create history once again in its space journey. Bharatiya astronaut will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) next month as part of an international space mission. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will be part of the upcoming Axiom Space mission, Ax-4.
Minister of State for Space and Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said, Bharat is poised to script a defining chapter in its space journey through this mission. After a high-level meeting held in New Delhi to review major future plans of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the coming months, he said the country is ready for its next space milestone. The Minister also underscored the significance of the upcoming human spaceflight and a series of critical ISRO missions.
He noted that the collaboration with international partners and the strategic momentum of projects like Gaganyaan reflect Bharat’s commitment to becoming a global leader in space technology. The Minister emphasized that these efforts are not only scientific in nature but also aligned with the vision of a developed and self-reliant Bharat.
Group Captain Shukla’s mission, scheduled for May 2025, marks a milestone in Bharat’s expanding international space collaborations. A decorated test pilot with the Indian Air Force, he was shortlisted under ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) and is among the top contenders for the Gaganyaan mission, Bharat’s first indigenous crewed orbital flight. His journey aboard the Ax-4 mission is expected to provide critical hands-on experience in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, and emergency preparedness – all essential for India’s crewed space ambitions.
What sets Shukla’s mission apart is its strategic importance. Unlike the symbolic undertones of Bharat’s first human spaceflight, this time the focus is on operational readiness and global integration. His participation underscores Bharat’s growing engagement with public-private international partnerships in space and its resolve to emerge as a serious contender in human space exploration.
