For the first time in decades, India, Poland, and Hungary have astronauts in space as Axiom-4 marks a symbolic return for three nations — and a giant leap for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.
New Delhi | June 26, 2025:
The Axiom-4 mission, a collaborative effort between Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA, has made history — not just for science, but for national pride. The commercial mission, which successfully launched aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon ‘Grace’ capsule, carries astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary — marking the first human spaceflight for all three nations in nearly half a century.
Axiom Mission 4 Launches to the International Space Station#Ax4 #Axiom #AxiomMission4 #ShubhanshuShukla #NASA #ISRO #Space @isro pic.twitter.com/hfuw3uf049
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 25, 2025
Onboard are:
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
- Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland)
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
- Mission Commander Peggy Whitson (USA)
At the time of reporting, the crew is orbiting Earth en route to the International Space Station (ISS), where they will remain for 15 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and collaborative work.
Also Read: India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Set for Space: NASA Confirms June 25 Launch for Axiom Mission 4
🇮🇳 A New Chapter for India’s Space Dreams
With the launch of Axiom Mission 4, the Indian tricolour soars among the stars. 🇮🇳
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 25, 2025
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station marks a proud milestone, a testament to India’s growing presence in global space exploration… pic.twitter.com/6ncDmnF1Aq
India’s last astronaut in space was Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet mission to the Salyut 7 space station in 1984. For Shubhanshu Shukla, the Axiom-4 mission is more than personal — it marks the formal beginning of India’s human space program in the modern era.
In his first words post-liftoff, Shukla said in Hindi:
“Kya zabardast safar hai! (What a fantastic ride!) This is not just the start of my journey to the ISS, it is the beginning of India’s human space programme.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the achievement, posting on X:
“He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and the crew all the success!”
🌍 Echoes of the Cold War, but a New Era
- India’s last spaceflight: Rakesh Sharma (1984)
- Poland: Mirosław Hermaszewski (1978)
- Hungary: Bertalan Farkas (1980)
Back then, all three flew aboard Soviet spacecraft during the Cold War era. This time, it’s a commercial, multi-national collaboration, with Europe and Asia jointly looking to the stars.
🚀 Mission ‘Grace’ and SpaceX’s Legacy
The Crew Dragon ‘Grace’ marks the fifth and final addition to SpaceX’s active Dragon fleet — joining Endeavour, Resilience, Endurance, and Freedom. All Dragon capsules will eventually be replaced by Starship, SpaceX’s next-gen rocket, in the 2030s.
The spacecraft lifted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 2:31 am (local time) on Wednesday and reached orbit minutes later. The booster successfully returned to Earth just eight minutes after launch.
Docking with the ISS is scheduled for Thursday at 1100 GMT (1630 IST). The astronauts will spend two weeks aboard before returning to Earth.
🌌 A Mission of Science, Spirit, and Significance
Mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran astronaut, described the journey as deeply meaningful:
“It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth. It speaks to the harmony of science and spirit, and the unmerited favor we carry with humility.”
India’s space agency ISRO views Axiom-4 as a key precursor to its upcoming Gaganyaan mission, India’s own independent human spaceflight planned for 2027, with ambitions to build an Indian space station within a decade.
🌐 A Triumph Beyond Borders
The Axiom-4 mission is more than a launch — it’s a statement. It signals a new era of democratized space access, where nations long absent from space can return not as dependents, but as partners in progress.
With Europe and Asia coming together, this mission marks a symbolic and scientific leap, not just for Shukla, Uznanski, and Kapu, but for billions of people who now look skyward with renewed hope.
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Axiom 4 mission, Shubhanshu Shukla astronaut, India space program, Gaganyaan mission, Poland astronaut, Hungary astronaut, SpaceX Crew Dragon Grace, ISS docking, Peggy Whitson, ISRO human spaceflight, Rakesh Sharma legacy