India’s Shubhanshu Shukla’s Ax-4 mission to launch on June 19

Days after Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s Ax-4 mission was postponed indefinitely, ISRO has announced the new launch date.
Shukla is set to make history as he prepares for his maiden voyage to space aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, now officially scheduled for launch on June 19, 2025. The mission will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard SpaceX’s reliable Falcon 9 rocket. The confirmation of the launch date follows a crucial coordination meeting between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Axiom Space, and SpaceX.
During the meeting, officials addressed recent technical concerns, most notably a liquid oxygen leak previously detected in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
SpaceX engineers have since resolved the issue, ensuring the rocket is ready for its next ambitious mission. Shukla, a serving Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO’s newest astronaut, will join an international crew for the Ax-04 mission. This marks a significant milestone for India’s human spaceflight program, as Shukla becomes one of the few Indians to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).
Shukla’s participation is a proud moment, inspiring a new generation of scientists and space enthusiasts. He will be conducting 7 experiments designed by India and will participate in other joint studies with NASA aboard the ISS.