It took 41 years, a diabetes research agenda, and a SpaceX rocket, but India is finally back in space and this time, with a modern twist. On June 25, 2025, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), courtesy of NASA and Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, aptly named Axiom-4. For a nation that has long flirted with celestial ambitions, this is not just a return, it’s a reset.
Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Not every astronaut story starts with a Bollywood montage, but Shubhanshu Shukla’s might have deserved one. Hailing from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla carved a path less trodden, from Indian Air Force to international astronaut. He is not from ISRO’s roster. Instead, he’s a private astronaut, selected through Axiom Space’s global program and trained for months in the US.
While India waits on the much-delayed Gaganyaan mission, Shubhanshu Shukla quietly suited up with NASA’s support, armed with scientific training, a calm-as-space demeanour, and a willingness to be microgravity’s next guinea pig.
Axiom-4: What’s This Mission Really About?
Let’s decode the jargon. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is part of Axiom Space’s efforts to normalize space travel by sending trained civilians and international astronauts aboard the ISS via NASA’s commercial crew program.
Purpose? Science and not the textbook kind. This mission focuses on biomedical research, particularly testing diabetes-monitoring systems in space. Think glucose sensors and smart insulin pens being tested in microgravity. If they work up there, they will rock down here.
Meet the Axiom-4 Mission Crew: The Avengers of Low Earth Orbit
This is who Shubhanshu Shukla is floating with:
- Peggy Whitson (USA) – Commander, ex-NASA legend, casually holds the record for most time in space by a woman.
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Indian Air Force Pilot, debut astronaut, space rookie with desi pride.
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) – ESA reserve astronaut and science wizard.
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist, part of Hungary’s push into orbit.
It’s like a Eurovision finale in space, but with lab coats and glucose monitors.
Axiom-4 Mission Launch Details: When, Where, How Loud?
- Date: June 25, 2025
- Time: 12:01 PM IST / 2:31 AM EDT
- Rocket: Falcon 9, SpaceX’s reusable beast
- Launchpad: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Docking at ISS: Scheduled for June 26, 2025, around 4:30 PM IST
Falcon 9 delivered the goods (again). The reusable booster did its flip-and-land magic while the Dragon spacecraft carried the crew skyward.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s First Message From Space
As of writing, Shubhanshu hasn’t dropped a poetic “Saare Jahan Se Achha” moment yet, but social media is already flooding with fake quotes and wholesome memes. Once the ISS docking is done, expect something simple, scientific, and maybe a nod to Kanpur. (We’re personally rooting for a line about chai in zero gravity.)
41 Years Since Rakesh Sharma: Why This Moment Hits Hard
India’s last human in space was Rakesh Sharma, way back in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz mission. His conversation with then-PM Indira Gandhi—“How does India look from space?”—is still the stuff of patriotic goosebumps.
Now in 2025, Shubhanshu Shukla’s ride is private, commercial, and globally integrated. It’s not ISRO’s mission, but it is India’s moment. And with Gaganyaan still stuck in the hangar, this international partnership shows how space isn’t just about launching from home turf—it’s about showing up on the global stage.
The Research: Why Axiom-4 Space Mission Is Not Just for Selfies
Axiom-4’s experiments focus heavily on diabetes tech, including continuous glucose monitors and insulin delivery systems. Space messes with the human body in weird ways. Your muscles weaken, your fluids float, and your metabolism throws tantrums. Studying these effects could change how we treat chronic diseases on Earth.
Shubhanshu will also help with physiology tests, tech validation, and a bunch of science we mortals barely understand—but which might someday let diabetics manage sugar levels with AI-powered wearables.
How People Reacted to Shubhanshu Shukla’s Mission at Home and Abroad?
- PM Narendra Modi tweeted, calling it a proud moment for India’s space legacy.
We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US.
The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025
- President Droupadi Murmu congratulated the mission and Shukla’s courage.
- ISRO gave a nod, while quietly focusing on Gaganyaan’s next trial.
- Social Media: Memes about sending aloo bhujiya to ISS, and viral edits of Shubhanshu in a kurta inside the Dragon capsule.
SpaceX Falcon 9: The Rocket That Made It Look Easy
Shubhanshu didn’t hitch a ride on a rusty Soviet shuttle. He launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the most reliable Uber-for-space humans have ever built. With over 250 launches and counting, this beast has redefined space logistics.
The capsule? Dragon, with touchscreen controls and seats that don’t look like leftover bus parts. Welcome to the new space age.
What’s Next for India in Space?
A successful Gaganyaan mission is still on the horizon, possibly 2026.
India also has ambitions in:
- Solar observation (Aditya)
- Lunar and planetary exploration
- Space-based startups and orbital tech
And after Shubhanshu’s debut? Don’t be surprised if we see more private-sector astronauts flying the tricolour on foreign rockets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – For the Curious and the Confused
Q1: Is Shubhanshu from ISRO?
Nope. He’s a private astronaut selected by Axiom Space, but repping India nonetheless.
Q2: Did India send him officially?
Not through ISRO, but India endorsed and celebrated the mission. It’s like sending a cousin to Harvard—still your family’s brag.
Q3: What’s he doing up there?
Science. Mostly biomedical research on diabetes and human health in space.
Q4: When is he coming back?
In about 14 days from launch. So, mid-July 2025—unless he finds space more peaceful than traffic in Kanpur.
Q5: Will he be part of Gaganyaan?
Too early to say, but after this performance, he’s definitely in the conversation.
Final Word
Shubhanshu Shukla did not just board a rocket, he reignited a national aspiration. It is no longer about if India will be a space power. It is about how loudly we will cheer when someone from Kanpur sends their first emoji from low Earth orbit. Welcome back to the cosmos, India.
We will keep updating this story with new images, Shubhanshu’s message from space (real one, not WhatsApp forwards), and the crew’s return timeline. Because when India reaches orbit, you know The Peak View Stories is watching.
Disclaimer: This story is not a paid promotion, sponsored content, or an indirect pitch to join ISRO. All facts have been sourced from official statements, press releases, and credible media outlets. Any satire or humour is purely intentional and scientifically proven to boost serotonin levels on Earth and possibly in orbit.