After multiple delays since its original 29 May launch date, the Axiom-4 finally lifted off Wednesday at noon (IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Led by US-based Axiom Space, the international human spaceflight is carrying the first Indian to space in 41 years. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting experiments on India’s behalf.
The mission is helmed by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. It has Whitson and Shukla, along with European mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), on board for an expedition to the ISS.
LIVE UPDATES: Axiom Mission 4 launch
8.00 pm: ISRO team watched docking from NASA centre, Houston
In a post on X, Indian Space Research Organisation says, “Team ISRO, led by Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, witnessed the historical moment from the Mission Control Room at @NASA_Johnson, Houston.”
It also congratulated NASA, Axiom, SpaceX, and all international partners.
Axiom Mission 4 successfully docked with the @Space_Station on 26 June 2025 at 16:15 hrs IST.
Team ISRO, led by Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, witnessed the historical moment from the Mission Control Room at @NASA_Johnson, Houston.
Welcome ceremony of Axiom… pic.twitter.com/8uygmuPntH
— ISRO (@isro) June 26, 2025
7.20 pm: Shukla makes remarks in Hindi aboard ISS
“A short message for my fellow countrymen, with your love and blessings, I have made it to the International Space Station. It looks easy to stand here, but it’s a little difficult. My head is a little heavy, and I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. But these are small things and, in a few days, we will get used to it.
This is the first step of this journey, and, in the coming 14 days, we will conduct science experiments and talk to you guys. However, this step shows that were moving forward in our own space journey.
I had spoken to you a little while ago when I was on the Dragon, and I will keep speaking to you in the coming days.
Let’s make this journey fun, and I’m very excited about it—the tiranga on my shoulder is a sign that you are with me…Jai Hind. Jai Bharat!”
7.10 pm: ‘11 astronauts, 6 nations—this symbolises international cooperation’
The welcome remarks aboard the International Space Station begin with Japanese astronaut and Expedition 73 commander Takuya Onishi. With the arrival of the Axiom Mission 4 crew on board, he says, there are now 11 astronauts from six countries at the station. The astronauts will work to “advance human space exploration and scientific research” and this “symbolises international cooperation”, he added.
Axiom Mission 4 commander Peggy Whitson thanks ISS crew for welcome in her remarks. She then begins the welcome ceremony, giving the “rookie” astronauts their pins. India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot, along with European mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) were representing their countries on the ISS for the first time.
In his first remarks on board, Shukla, jokes about the 634th astronaut in space.
He says it is a “privilege” to be on board and “to be among the few to see the Earth from a vantage point that I have been able to see”.
“I have been looking forward to space,” he says, adding that his expectations have been surpassed”.
The next 14-days will be amazing “advancing science and research”, he adds.
6.15 pm: Watch the moment Axiom Mission 4 crew entered ISS
Axiom Mission 4 crew—commander Peggy Whitson (US), pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India) and specialists Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland)—enter the International Space Station (ISS).
6.00 pm: Axiom Mission 4 crew enters ISS
All four crew members of the Axion Mission 4 crew are now aboard the International Space Station.
5.45 pm: Both hatches are now open
Both hatches between the International Space Station and the Dragon spacecraft are open as of 5:44 pm. The ISS crew members are waiting for their new entrants.
5.10 pm: 1st view look at hatch from inside ISS
The vestibule between the Dragon spacecraft and International Space Station will be pressurised for the crew’s final entry into the ISS. The hatch opening procedures are currently underway.
5.00 pm: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s father reacts to a successful docking
Speaking to ANI news agency, IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, says, “We are delighted. We feel great. My child had a successful docking. We are very thankful to God. We had prayed to God and He has blessed our child abundantly.”
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: On successful docking of #AxiomMission4 to ISS, IAF Group Captain & astronaut #ShubhanshuShukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, says, "We are delighted. We feel great. My child had a successful docking. We are very thankful to God. We had prayed to God and… pic.twitter.com/t0lKdRj2FE
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
4.40 pm: Visuals of the Dragon Spacecraft & ISS during docking
4.30 pm: Communications between ISS, Dragon established
The International Space Station is currently is over the Indian Ocean and is expected to enter orbital nighttime.
The crew is conducting to checks to finally be able to open the hatch and enter the ISS, taking the crew of seven aboard to one of 11. This process is expected to take about two hours.
A welcome address is expected at 7:05 pm IST.
4.20 pm: Union MoS Jitendra Singh congratulates Axiom
In a post on X, Minister of State for Science and Technology said, “Shubhanshu stands at the threshold entrance of International Space Station #ISS … waiting to step in for a 14 day sojourn…. as the world watches with excitement and expectation.”
Congratulations #Axiom4!
Docking accomplished.
Shubhanshu stands at the threshold entrance of International Space Station #ISS … waiting to step in for a 14 day sojourn…. as the world watches with excitement and expectation. pic.twitter.com/p91jpqUcBg
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 26, 2025
4.10 pm: Docking procedure complete
The 12 hooks of the Dragon spacecraft successfully aligned, completing the process from soft capture to hard mate. The soft capture ring was been stowed away.
Following this, the umbilical connections were completed, which are allowing the transfer of power and communication between the spacecraft and the International Space Station.
Now, spacecraft has been given go-ahead of post-docking cabin configurations.
4.03 pm: Dragon spacecraft successfully docks at ISS
The Dragon spacecraft docked at the International Space Station at 4.01 pm IST.
4.00 pm: Dragon in final approach
The spacecraft is in its final approach and has received the go-ahead for docking.
3.50 pm: Dragon spacecraft on path to ‘Waypoint 2’
The spacecraft has bypassed ‘Waypoint 1’ and is set to also bypass ‘Waypoint 2.’ It was initially supposed to briefly pause at ‘Waypoint 2’ to align for docking, but received the all clear to go past without a hold.
3.40 pm: Docking time updated to 4.00 pm IST.
The docking time for the Dragon spacecraft has been updated to 4.00 pm.
The spacecraft was initially expected to dock at the International Space Station at 4.30 pm before the schedule was changed to reflect an earlier docking time. The spacecraft is 5 minutes from ‘Waypoint 1,’ the second of three checkpoints in its approach to the ISS.
3.30 pm: Whitson, Shukla aboard the spacecraft
Mission commander Peggy Whitson and pilot Shubhanshu Shukla seen aboard the Dragon spacecraft as it begins its approach to the International Space Station.
Shukla is set to become the first Indian ever to set foot on the ISS. About 28 hours after liftoff, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule carrying four Axiom-4 crew members will dock at the space station, beginning the 14-day mission.
3.20 pm: A view of the Earth from aboard Dragon spacecraft
3.15 pm: NASA says spacecraft ‘ahead of schedule’
On its website, NASA has said, “The Dragon spacecraft is ahead of schedule and may autonomously dock at approximately 6:18 a.m. EDT Thursday, June 26, to the space-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module.” This would put it on track to dock at 3:48 pm IST.
The live feed confirmed that the spacecraft had reached ‘Waypoint 0,’ which is at a distance of 400 metres from the International Space Station.
3.00 pm: View of ISS from Dragon Spacecraft
Axiom Space and SpaceX share an image of the International Space Station from the underneath, looking up.
2.50 pm: Spacecraft begins approach to ‘Waypoint 0’
The spacecraft has completed the AI-Midcourse Burn to adjust its trajectory and is now approaching Waypoint 0—400m way from the International Space Station. That maneouvre is expected to take about 18.5 minutes, according to the SpaceX live feed.
2.15 pm: Mission ‘on track’ to dock at 4.30 pm IST
Dragon is on track to dock with the @Space_Station at ~6:18 a.m. ET
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 26, 2025
2.00 pm: Axiom to broadcast the docking live
UPDATE
Over the next few hours, the #Ax4 crew will travel to the @Space_Station for an approximate docking on June 26 at 6:30 AM EDT. Tune in for the live docking broadcast starting at 4:30 AM EDT. pic.twitter.com/2D2fzqUuox— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 26, 2025
01.00 pm: ‘India scripting its own chapter in space research’
In a post on X, S. Somanath, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) says, India is “scripting its own chapter in space research”.
He added that Shubhanshu Shukla’s “presence will significantly bolster our #Gaganyaan mission, adding experiential depth to planning, life science payloads and long duration spaceflight goals”. Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight, is scheduled to take flight in 2027.
As the #Ax4 capsule closes in on the @Space_Station, it is heartening to see how India's scientific ecosystem is quietly and confidently scripting its own chapter in space research.
With #ShubhanshuShukla onboard, India is not just a passenger on this ride. We are a partner, a… pic.twitter.com/7P8MTRy6OU— Dr. S Somanath (@SomanathSpeak) June 26, 2025
12.30 pm: How SpaceX’s Dragon capsule will dock at ISS
At 4.30 pm Thursday, Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian ever to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS). About 28 hours after liftoff, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule carrying four Axiom-4 crew members will dock at the space station, beginning the 14-day mission.
Read Soumya Pillai’s report on how SpaceX’s Dragon capsule will dock at ISS.
11.30 am: Ax-4 astronauts check in
“Namaskar from space,” says Shubhanshu Shukla on board Grace. “I’m thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts. Frankly, when I was sitting in the capsule on the launchpad, the only thought in my mind was, ‘let’s just go’. When the ride started, it was really something—getting pushed back into the seat and then… nothing. You’re just floating, in the silence, in the vacuum.”
Holding up the plush toy swan named Joy, Shukla explained that in India, “The swan symbolises wisdom” and noted that the swan holds significance in the cultures of all four countries represented on the mission.
“The capsule, Grace, has been very kind,” he added. “I wasn’t feeling great when we shot into space, so I’ve been told I’ve been sleeping a lot.”
Watch live as the Ax-4 astronauts check in from orbit https://t.co/nn1GXw6JdQ
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 26, 2025
TOP DEVELOPMENTS: 25 June 2025
02.30 pm: Indian Air Force celebrates ‘indomitable spirit’ of Shubhanshu Shukla
On X, the IAF wrote, “From conquering the skies to touching the stars—a journey powered by the indomitable spirit of the IAF Air Warrior.”
From conquering the skies to touching the stars— a journey powered by the indomitable spirit of the IAF Air Warrior.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla sets forth on a landmark Space Mission, carrying the pride of the nation beyond Earth.
This is a dèjà-vu moment for India, 41… pic.twitter.com/mTFfGLxiUE— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 25, 2025
02.00 pm: Shubhanshu Shukla’s mentor at IISc’s message for ‘Shux’
Aloke Kumar, Shukla’s professor and mentor for his Master’s thesis at Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has an ulterior motive behind the Indian astronaut’s safe return home—to have Shukla finish his incomplete thesis.
“He left his thesis midway to go for his training in the US. I will hold him to it as soon as he is back,” Kumar said.
01.25 pm: PM Narendra Modi & President Droupadi Murmu wish Shukla & other astronauts success
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi writes: “…The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.”
We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US.
The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025
President of India Droupadi Murmu also congratulated Shukla on X. “He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”
As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian’s journey into the stars. He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family –…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 25, 2025
01.00 pm: Shubhanshu Shukla’s message to India from space
After lift-off, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a message for India from space. Speaking in Hindi, he said, “Namaskar, mere pyare deshvasiyon! What a ride! We are back in space after 41 years… The Tricolour on my shoulder reminds me that I’m not alone. This isn’t just the beginning of my international space journey — it’s the beginning of ours, as a nation.”
12.55 pm: City Montessori School in Lucknow cheers on alumnus Shubhanshu Shukla
At City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, the atmosphere was electric as over 2,000 students chanted “Shubhanshu, Shubhanshu! Hip-hip hurray!” in unison, cheering for alumnus Shubhanshu Shukla as he soared into space. His parents, sisters, friends, and former teachers joined the celebration, their eyes fixed on the screen as his rocket lifted off.
To recreate the excitement of NASA’s control room in Florida, the school had built a replica set-up. As the launch succeeded, Shubhanshu’s entire family broke down in tears of joy, hugging one another.
“This is a historic moment for us,” said the principal of CMS. “We’ve watched him grow into this talented and amazing person. He was an all-rounder since childhood.”
12.50 pm: ‘A little bit more of humanity is in space today,’ says NASA
A little bit more of humanity is in space today. 🇺🇸🇮🇳🇵🇱🇭🇺
The four-member crew of #Ax4 includes astronauts from @ESA and @ISRO. @Axiom_Space's fourth private astronaut mission is set to arrive at the @Space_Station on Thursday, June 26: https://t.co/fnGkb4d64E pic.twitter.com/liUkioCr25
— NASA (@NASA) June 25, 2025
12.40 pm: The crew expected to dock at ISS Thursday
The crew is expected to dock at the ISS at 4.30 pm IST on Thursday, 26 June, after an almost 28 hour-long flight.
The Axiom-4 crew has named their SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft “Grace”.
12.30 pm: Union MoS Jitendra Singh congratulates Shukla
Following lift off, in a post on X, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, said: Congratulations Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — you are the first Indian Astronaut to embark on a mission to the International Space Station.”
Congratulations Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — you are the first Indian Astranaut to embark on a mission to the International Space Station 🇮🇳 .
Indeed a proud moment for India!#ISRO’s growing global collaborations, after the reforms introduced by the government headed by… pic.twitter.com/1qteYBaeAK
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 25, 2025
12.20 pm: Dragon has separated from Falcon 9’s second stage
Follow Dragon and Axiom-4 during their flight here
12.01 pm: Falcon 9 launch Dragon lifts off
Boostback burn is complete and the booster is heading back to Florida.
‘Everything is right on track,’ says SpaceX mission control.
Booster lands perfectly back in Cape Canaval.
Falcon 9’s first stage booster has landed at Landing Zone 1 pic.twitter.com/I5gI376fca
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 25, 2025
11.50 am: Astronauts in Quarantine for a month
The four astronauts have been in quarantine since 25 May, spending nearly a month in isolation as the mission faced repeated delays.
Speaking to ThePrint, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, Shubhanshu Shukla’s father, said: “We had a special Pooja for him in the morning. Shubhanshu has our blessings and the entire nation is praying for him. We will be witnessing the launch at his school where a big event has been organised. Shubhanshu’s family, friends and teachers will be there. In his honour this whole event is being held at his school.”
11.45 am: Nehru Planetarium to screen Axiom-4 launch
New Delhi’s Nehru Planetarium, which opened its doors in 1984, the same year Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, will screen the Axiom-4 launch in its Sky Theater.
11.30 am: Previous missions—Axiom-1, 2, and 3
Before this, three missions—Axiom-1, 2, and 3—successfully met different objectives, each serving as a preparatory step toward Axiom Space’s goal of launching its own docking module by 2027. This module will dock with the ISS and eventually replace the ISS, due to be decommissioned in 2030.
11.00 am: ‘Wicked smart’ IAF group captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Axiom-4
Indian Air Force (IAF) group captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has been described as “wicked smart” and a “tech genius”, is hours away from blasting off to space for the 14-day Mission. Read Soumya Pillai’s story to know what his role will be in Axiom-4 mission.
10.30 am: A leak in the Zvezda module last week delayed mission further
A leak near the rear of the ISS, detected in the Russian Zvezda module, had caused further delays to the launch of the Axiom-4 Mission, NASA announced last week. To know more about the Zvezda module, read Akanksha Mishra’s story.