‘Historic Lift-Off': Former ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan Reacts To Axiom-4 Launch
Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan praised Axiom Mission 4 as a landmark moment, highlighting India's space progress and the rigour behind the launch
Moments after the successful lift-off of Axiom Mission 4 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan hailed it as a landmark moment for India and global space collaboration. 'Very nice lift-off… a historic one. Each moment will be exciting," he told CNN-News18. 'It's not just about the four astronauts — so many people behind the mission have worked to make this possible."
Narayanan also pointed to the delays leading up to the launch, saying they reflected the mission's rigour and attention to detail. 'They wanted to be 100 per cent sure. That's how space missions ought to be handled — with complete precision."
Reflecting on India's growing capabilities in space exploration, he added: 'Today, India is also in a great situation as far as space journeys are concerned."
LIFTOFF of Axiom-4 🚀After 41 long years, an Indian astronaut is finally on his way to space! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/2KIq7IacCu — ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) June 25, 2025
What Is Axiom-4?
Axiom-4 is a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, organised by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. It marks a major return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary — each sending a government-sponsored astronaut to space for the first time in over four decades.
The crew is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting 60 research projects across disciplines such as space medicine, materials, agriculture, and biology.
A decorated Indian Air Force officer from Lucknow and part of the Gaganyaan astronaut pool, Shukla becomes the first Indian to visit the ISS, and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984). On Ax-4, he will conduct research on microbial behaviour, muscle loss, and space agriculture, including growing methi and moong in microgravity.
Dr Peggy Whitson (USA) – Commander
A veteran astronaut with 675 days in space — the highest for any American — Dr Whitson returns to command Ax-4. Her experience will be key in overseeing complex scientific objectives during the mission.
Sławosz Uznański (Poland) – Mission Specialist
A CERN physicist and engineer, Uznański becomes Poland's second astronaut in space since 1978. Representing both Poland and the European Space Agency (ESA), he will focus on microgravity science and engineering payloads.
Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
A mechanical engineer specialising in space radiation shielding and advanced materials, Kapu is flying as part of Hungary's HUNOR astronaut programme. His experiments will contribute to future space health and tech design.
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