Thu Jan 30 16:45:58 UTC 2025: ## Indian Astronaut to Pilot Historic Axiom-4 Mission to ISS
**Bengaluru, January 30, 2025** – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) in nearly 40 years. NASA and its international partners announced the crew for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission on Thursday, with Shukla serving as the pilot.
The Axiom-4 mission, a privately funded endeavor, is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida later this year. The crew, which also includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson (mission commander), and ESA astronauts Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), will spend 14 days aboard the ISS conducting various experiments.
Shukla, one of four astronaut-designates selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission, expressed his excitement and the significance of the mission for India. He highlighted the invaluable experience gained, which will benefit India’s own space program. He plans to share his experiences with the Indian public through photos and videos, emphasizing that this journey represents the aspirations of 1.4 billion people. He also intends to perform yoga demonstrations aboard the ISS and take items representing India to the station.
A highly experienced pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight time in various aircraft, Shukla’s selection marks a significant milestone for India’s space exploration ambitions. His participation in Axiom-4 precedes India’s own crewed spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, underscoring a growing collaboration in international space efforts.
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