Wed Jul 02 18:04:44 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, which docked with the International Space Station (ISS). ISRO emphasizes that the Ax-04 mission provides invaluable experience for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, including international crew integration, medical preparation, and real-time health telemetry. ISRO plans abort missions for the Gaganyaan in the fourth quarter of 2025. The first crewed flight is expected in the first quarter of 2027. Shukla is also carrying Indian handicrafts to the ISS to celebrate India’s cultural heritage.

**News Article:**

**Indian Astronaut’s Mission Provides Key Insights for Gaganyaan, Crewed Flight Expected in 2027**

**Bengaluru, India – July 3, 2025** – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, is contributing crucial data and experience for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The Ax-04 mission, which successfully docked with the ISS, is providing ISRO with hands-on knowledge in critical areas such as international crew integration, medical and psychological preparation of astronauts, real-time health monitoring, experiment execution in space, and coordination between the crew and ground control teams. ISRO states that these insights will directly influence the mission planning, safety protocols, and astronaut training for Gaganyaan.

“This is a small step in orbit, but a giant leap in India’s pursuit of human spaceflight and scientific discovery,” ISRO officials declared.

ISRO also announced that preparations are underway for abort missions related to the Gaganyaan project, with the first uncrewed test flight slated for the fourth quarter of 2025. The agency anticipates the first crewed Gaganyaan flight will take place by the first quarter of 2027.

In a touching tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage, Group Captain Shukla is carrying a selection of Indian handicrafts to the ISS. These items, designed by students at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, represent various regions and materials of India and serve as cultural ambassadors in space.

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