Wed Jun 25 06:36:47 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**Headline: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Launches to International Space Station on Axiom-4 Mission**
**Florida, USA -** Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of India launched into space today as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Dragon spacecraft with Shukla and three other astronauts, lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 p.m. IST on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The mission, commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, also includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, marking a return to space for these three nations.
Shukla, born in Lucknow, becomes the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s historic spaceflight aboard the Soviet Union’s Salyut-7 in 1984.
SpaceX confirmed the crew was prepared for launch, highlighting that communication and suit checks were finalized prior to hatch closure. The Dragon spacecraft is on its maiden voyage. Docking at the ISS is anticipated on Thursday, June 26, at 4:30 p.m. IST, after a 28-hour journey. The weather conditions were highly favorable for the launch.
First Piper 