Meet the Elite Crew of Axiom Mission 4, Blazing a Trail With India's Shubhanshu Shukla
The Ax-4 mission will launch with astronauts from four countries, including India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who begins his maiden space journey.
Bengaluru, India – June 25, 2025 – As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to make history as the second Indian to journey to space, he does so alongside an accomplished international crew for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS). This diverse team represents a significant step in global collaboration for human spaceflight, bringing together seasoned expertise and national aspirations.
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The four-member Ax-4 crew, set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will spend approximately two weeks on the ISS, conducting a wide range of scientific experiments and outreach activities. Let's meet the individuals who will share this remarkable journey:
1. Peggy Whitson (United States) – Mission Commander
A true legend in space exploration, Peggy Whitson leads the Ax-4 mission as its commander. A former NASA astronaut and currently Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight, Whitson holds the record for the most cumulative days in space by an American astronaut, with an astonishing 675 days across multiple missions. Her unparalleled experience and leadership will be instrumental in guiding the crew through the complexities of spaceflight and ensuring the success of their scientific objectives. This marks Whitson's second commercial human spaceflight mission with Axiom Space, further solidifying her pioneering role in private space endeavors.
2. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot
Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a distinguished Indian Air Force fighter pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29. Selected as one of ISRO's astronaut designates for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission, Shukla's role as pilot on Ax-4 is a crucial step in India's human spaceflight program. He will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and will conduct experiments on topics such as space agriculture, microbial behavior, and muscle loss, providing vital data for future long-duration missions. His participation underscores the growing partnership between ISRO and international space agencies.
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3. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) – Mission Specialist
Representing Poland and the European Space Agency (ESA), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is a physicist and engineer with a background in working at CERN, where he oversaw operations of the Large Hadron Collider. As Poland's second astronaut to travel to space – and the first in over four decades – Uznański-Wiśniewski will focus on scientific research aboard the ISS, contributing to ESA's objectives in microgravity studies. His flight signifies Poland's renewed commitment to human spaceflight.
4. Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
A mechanical engineer specializing in polymer technology and space radiation protection, Tibor Kapu represents Hungary's renewed push into human spaceflight through the HUNOR (HUNgarian to ORbit) program. Kapu, who will be Hungary's second astronaut in space, will engage in experiments related to space health and technology. His mission is a significant milestone for Hungary's national space ambitions, marking their first human spaceflight since the fall of the Soviet Union.
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Together, this diverse and highly skilled crew embodies the spirit of international cooperation in space exploration. Their mission not only pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge but also strengthens global partnerships, paving the way for a future where humanity's reach into the cosmos expands even further.
MEET THE AX-4 CREW
A true legend in space exploration, Peggy Whitson leads the Ax-4 mission as its commander. A former NASA astronaut and currently Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight, Whitson holds the record for the most cumulative days in space by an American astronaut, with an astonishing 675 days across multiple missions. Her unparalleled experience and leadership will be instrumental in guiding the crew through the complexities of spaceflight and ensuring the success of their scientific objectives. This marks Whitson's second commercial human spaceflight mission with Axiom Space, further solidifying her pioneering role in private space endeavors.
2. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot
Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a distinguished Indian Air Force fighter pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29. Selected as one of ISRO's astronaut designates for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission, Shukla's role as pilot on Ax-4 is a crucial step in India's human spaceflight program. He will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and will conduct experiments on topics such as space agriculture, microbial behavior, and muscle loss, providing vital data for future long-duration missions. His participation underscores the growing partnership between ISRO and international space agencies.
Also Read:
Representing Poland and the European Space Agency (ESA), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is a physicist and engineer with a background in working at CERN, where he oversaw operations of the Large Hadron Collider. As Poland's second astronaut to travel to space – and the first in over four decades – Uznański-Wiśniewski will focus on scientific research aboard the ISS, contributing to ESA's objectives in microgravity studies. His flight signifies Poland's renewed commitment to human spaceflight.
4. Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
A mechanical engineer specializing in polymer technology and space radiation protection, Tibor Kapu represents Hungary's renewed push into human spaceflight through the HUNOR (HUNgarian to ORbit) program. Kapu, who will be Hungary's second astronaut in space, will engage in experiments related to space health and technology. His mission is a significant milestone for Hungary's national space ambitions, marking their first human spaceflight since the fall of the Soviet Union.
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