India's Shubhanshu Shukla will launch to space on a used Falcon-9 rocket
The Ax-4 mission, a joint effort between Nasa, Isro, and Axiom Space, will make Shukla the first Indian to travel to the ISS as part of a commercial crew, marking a significant milestone for India's space program.The final integration of the Dragon spacecraft—which will transport the four-member crew, including Shukla, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, and colleagues from Poland and Hungary—is currently underway.The spacecraft is scheduled to be transported next week for mating with the Falcon-9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A.The Falcon-9's recent Starlink mission highlights SpaceX's ability to turn around boosters for crewed flights in record time, supporting the company's vision for sustainable and cost-effective space access.Once integrated, the rocket and spacecraft will undergo a series of rigorous checks ahead of the planned June 8 launch.advertisementDuring their 14-day stay aboard the ISS, Shukla and his team will conduct over 60 scientific investigations, including five joint experiments with NASA and several led by Indian researchers.The mission not only advances international collaboration but also paves the way for India's future ambitions in human spaceflight.With the Ax-4 readiness review scheduled to be held, anticipation is building for this historic flight, which will see a proven Falcon-9 booster once again break the bounds of Earth—this time, with an Indian astronaut aboard.
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