Kennedy Space Center

June 27, 2025 3:07 PM

Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents, teacher celebrate his journey to ISS

The parents and teacher of India's second astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, expressed immense pride on Friday after his successful arrival at the International Space Station (ISS). Speaking to IANS, they shared their emotions, expressing joy and gratitude to God for his safe journey and lauding his remarkable achievement. IAF officer Shukla made history as the first Indian to reach the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space, nearly 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Shar...

June 26, 2025 1:13 PM

Shubhanshu Shukla shares first in-flight experience on Axiom 4 mission

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew shared their first in-flight update from orbit early Wednesday, offering a glimpse into life aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as they journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Axiom Space said on X: “Tune in LIVE with the #Ax4 crew for their FIRST in-flight event at 01:47 AM EDT.” SpaceX also confirmed the update: “First opportunity to talk live with the Ax-4 crew on-orbit will be in roughly 15 minutes at ~1:47 a.m. ET this morning.” During t...

June 25, 2025 4:54 PM

Gajar ka halwa, mango nectar to help Shubhanshu Shukla satiate home food cravings in space

Sitting on the verge of making history, Indian Air Force Group Caption and ISRO astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, is carrying carrot halwa, moong dal halwa and mango nectar with him on way to the International Space Station (ISS) to satiate his cravings for home-made food in space, and distribute some among fellow astronauts too. Shukla will become only the second Indian in space – and first on the orbiting laboratory - after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch carrying Shukla and ...

June 25, 2025 2:08 PM

PM Modi hails successful launch of space mission with astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States. He also extended his best wishes to Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to become the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). PM Modi said on X: “We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian Astronaut,...

June 25, 2025 1:58 PM

India back in space after 41 years, says Shubhanshu Shukla after Axiom 4 lift-off

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is piloting the Axiom-4 mission that launched from Florida on Wednesday, said that India is returning to space after 41 years and called it an "amazing ride." Stating that the journey is the beginning of India's human space programme, he said the chest of Indians "should swell with pride." The Axiom 4 Mission (AX-4) was launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 2:31 am Eastern Time (12:01p...

June 25, 2025 2:13 PM

Axiom 4: Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary launched on first space station mission

NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson was launched on the fifth spaceflight of her career early on Wednesday, joined by crewmates from India, Poland and Hungary heading for their countries' first visit to the International Space Station. The astronaut team lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, at about 2:31 a.m. EDT (0631 GMT; 12:01 pm IST)), beginning the latest mission organized by Texas-based startup Axiom Space in partnership with Elon Musk's ...

June 25, 2025 10:36 AM

‘Bringing laurels to country’: Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents express their happiness ahead of Axiom-4 mission

Joy, pride, and excitement swept through Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to make history with the Axiom-4 mission, set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday. The Indian Air Force Group Captain, hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow, is heading to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 Mission. Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal, expressed that his son's achievement brings pride not only to Lucknow but also to the...

June 25, 2025 10:37 AM

‘Want to ignite curiosity among children,’ says IAF Shubhanshu Shukla as Ax-4 gets ready to take wings

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is one of the four astronauts selected for ISRO’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006. A highly accomplished combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he has amassed over 2,000 hours of flight experience across a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, H...

June 25, 2025 12:27 PM

‘All systems looking good’: SpaceX ahead of Axiom Mission 4 to ISS

SpaceX has confirmed that all systems are "looking good" for the launch of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), as NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX target a 2:31 AM EDT (12:00 PM IST) liftoff on Wednesday for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). In a post on X on Tuesday (local time), SpaceX stated that weather conditions are 90% favorable for the launch scheduled for Wednesday evening (local time). “All systems are looking good for Wednesday’s launch of Axiom Spa...

June 25, 2025 10:39 AM

ISRO to conduct key space experiments through Axiom-4 mission

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is set to carry out significant scientific research during its journey to the International Space Station (ISS). This landmark private spaceflight will launch on Wednesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are collaborating on the mission, which will include several scientific investigations. Key research areas include studies on muscle regeneration, the growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, the s...