The launch of the long-awaited Axiom-4 mission featuring Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the first Indian space traveler to the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed owing to unfavorable weather. Initially slated for June 10, the mission is now scheduled to take off at 5:30 PM IST on June 11, 2025.
This historic flight will make Shukla only the second Indian to enter space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. The Axiom-4 mission is also India’s first government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over four decades.
Weather Forces 24-Hour Delay
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the delay via an official post on X (formerly Twitter), attributing the postponement to “unfavourable weather.”
Launch of Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station:
Due to weather conditions, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to the International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025.
The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th…
— ISRO (@isro) June 9, 2025
“Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Based on weather, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission for transporting Indian Gaganyatri to the International Space Station has been rescheduled from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The launch window of 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025 is the target time: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman ISRO/ Secretary DOS / Chairman Space Commission,” stated the official release.
Global Representation in Axiom-4 Crew
The Axiom-4 mission includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary—each representing their country’s first mission to the ISS. This multinational effort reflects a growing trend in international cooperation within the field of commercial and government spaceflight.
Slawosz Uznanski, a European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, will be only the second Polish astronaut since Mirosław Hermaszewski flew in 1978. Hungarian Tibor Kapu will also be following in the footsteps of Bertalan Farkas, who flew in 1980.
Veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson will be commanding the Ax-4 mission. Peggy Whitson, who holds the record for the most cumulative time spent in space by an American astronaut, brings valuable experience to the flight on her second commercial space journey.
Shubhanshu Shukla Looks Back on Historic Mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, set to pilot the mission, expressed deep emotion and pride in being part of this historic space expedition.
“The crew that I’m flying with on this flight. It is great. I do believe that I have wonderful crewmen. I will have these crewmen for this single flight. But after this mission, these are going to be my lifetime buddies. It has been a wonderful journey. These are experiences that make you know that you are becoming part of something way bigger than yourself. I can only explain how incredibly lucky I feel to be a part of this. It is my genuine effort in my mission to inspire a whole generation at home in the country. I wish to utilize this platform to light a fire of curiosity amongst children. Even if this tale, my tale, manages to transform a single life, it would be a tremendous success for me. I’m Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, and I am the pilot for the Axiom 4 mission.”
A Milestone for India and Global Space Collaboration
As per Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission is the return of India, Poland, and Hungary to human space missions after over 40 years. Governments and the European Space Agency (ESA) have also funded the second commercial spaceflight mission composed of national astronauts.
The joint mission highlights India’s increasing footprint in space exploration across the globe and boosts its space relationship with NASA and ESA.
Largest Volume of Scientific Research in Axiom History
The Ax-4 mission will perform approximately 60 research experiments and scientific studies with the participation of 31 nations, including India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, the UAE, Nigeria, and a number of European countries. It is thus the most research-focused mission that Axiom Space has ever mounted.
The studies will cut across disciplines like human health, Earth observation, material sciences, biological research, and others. The mission places particular importance on expanding the visibility and engagement of India, Poland, and Hungary in microgravity science and low-Earth orbit innovation.
The studies are meant to provide avenues for increased public-private partnerships and expand access to the opportunities of space-based science in the emerging markets.
With the launch pushed back to June 11, the Axiom-4 mission remains one of the world’s most highly anticipated events on the space calendar. As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gets ready to make history, India takes a giant leap back into human space exploration, opening up a new generation to possibilities among the stars.
