Wed Jun 25 06:36:47 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**After 40 Years, India Returns to Space as Astronaut Launches to ISS**
**Bengaluru, India – June 25, 2025** – Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully launched on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, marking India’s return to space after four decades. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carries Shukla alongside Commander Peggy Whitson (U.S.), Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
“Namaskar my dear countrymen. What a ride,” Shukla said in his first message from space. “After 40 years we have once again reached space…This is not the start of my journey to the ISS but the start of India’s human space programme. I want my countrymen to become part of this journey.”
The Ax-4 mission is expected to dock at the ISS around 4:30 p.m. IST on June 26th. The crew will spend up to 14 days at the orbiting laboratory, conducting approximately 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries. Group Captain Shukla will specifically conduct seven microgravity research experiments shortlisted by ISRO from various Indian research institutions. ISRO and NASA will also collaborate on five joint science investigations and two STEM demonstrations.
Shukla’s mission represents a significant milestone for India’s space program, reigniting national pride and paving the way for future human spaceflight endeavors. The last Indian to venture into space was Rakesh Sharma in 1984, aboard a Soviet spacecraft.
The launch, initially scheduled for May 29th, faced several delays due to technical issues and unfavorable weather conditions. The crew had been in quarantine since May 25, 2025.
First Piper 