Indian Air Force Sends Best Wishes to Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Ahead of Axiom-4 Mission
IAF Extends Support to Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
New Delhi: As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gears up for his upcoming space mission with Axiom-4, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has conveyed its warm wishes to him and his fellow crew members.
The highly anticipated journey to the International Space Station (ISS), initially set for June 10, has been delayed by a day due to adverse weather conditions.
In a message shared on X, the IAF stated: "As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 mission tomorrow, the Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of the IAF extend their best wishes for a safe and successful journey to the ISS. This mission will mark a new chapter in India's space exploration. Touch the sky with glory!"
As Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla prepares to embark on Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new… pic.twitter.com/t91lFn6gz5
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 10, 2025
Group Captain Shukla, a notable figure in the Indian Air Force, is poised to become one of the select few Indians to travel to the ISS, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Rakesh Sharma. His mission is organized by Axiom Space, a private space firm based in the US, in partnership with SpaceX and various international space agencies.
The Axiom-4 crew, consisting of four members including Shukla, is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The new launch time is now scheduled for June 11 at 8:00 a.m. ET (5:30 p.m. IST).
This mission has experienced several delays, originally planned for May 29, then postponed to June 8, and subsequently to June 10, before the latest adjustment to June 11 due to ongoing weather issues.
Dr. V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, confirmed the recent delay through social media, stating: "Due to weather conditions, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to the International Space Station is postponed from June 10, 2025, to June 11, 2025."
This mission signifies a crucial advancement in India's growing involvement in global space exploration, particularly as the country readies itself for its ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight initiative.