India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Completes Final Launch Rehearsal: 100% Mission Ready, Calls Himself Extremely Fortunate

India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Completes Final Launch Rehearsal: 100% Mission Ready, Calls Himself Extremely Fortunate

India’s Shubhanshu Shukla successfully completes the final launch rehearsal, marking 100% mission readiness. He expresses immense gratitude and calls himself extremely fortunate ahead of the critical launch.

In a significant milestone for India’s space exploration efforts, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed the final launch rehearsal for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for liftoff on June 10, 2025. This marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey into human spaceflight, as Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a private mission.

Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to space began with his commissioning into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006. Over the years, he has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. In March 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Group Captain, reflecting his exceptional contributions to the IAF .

Shukla’s selection for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s inaugural human spaceflight program, was a testament to his exemplary skills and dedication. In 2019, he underwent rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia, preparing him for the challenges of space travel. His participation in Axiom Mission 4 further underscores his commitment to advancing India’s presence in space exploration .

Axiom Mission 4 is a collaborative effort involving Axiom Space, NASA, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission aims to send a crew of four astronauts to the ISS for a 14-day mission focused on scientific research, educational outreach, and commercial activities. The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznanski-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This mission marks the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will collaborate on a mission aboard the ISS .

The completion of the final launch rehearsal is a critical step in ensuring the mission’s success. During the rehearsal, the crew donned their SpaceX flight suits and participated in a full procedure simulation, including leaving the assembly building and entering the spacecraft. This exercise is designed to familiarize the crew with the launch sequence and ensure that all systems function as expected.

As the launch date approaches, Shubhanshu Shukla reflects on the significance of this mission. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am extremely fortunate to be part of something much larger than yourself.” His journey serves as an inspiration to millions, highlighting the possibilities that lie ahead for India’s space aspirations.

With the final rehearsal complete and the launch scheduled for June 10, 2025, all eyes will be on the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts embark on a mission that will not only advance scientific knowledge but also strengthen international cooperation in space exploration.socialnews.

For real-time updates on Axiom Mission 4 and to witness this historic moment, follow the official channels of Axiom Space and ISRO. The mission’s progress will be broadcasted live, allowing enthusiasts and supporters to be part of this monumental event in India’s space history.

As Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his journey to the stars, his story serves as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the heights that dedication, training, and passion can achieve.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is in the final phase of preparing for his maiden voyage to the International Space Station. Ahead of lift-off the Ax-4 crew conducted a full dress rehearsal of the launch.

The Ax-4 crew led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson donned the SpaceX flight suit and completed the full procedure from leaving the assembly building to entering the spacecraft and mimicked the launch day uptil the final launch.

The Falcon-9 will launch with the Dragon spacecraft atop on Tuesday June 10, 2025 at 5:54 pm IST to the International Space Station with astronauts from US, India, Poland and Hungry on a 14-day science expedition.

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