After much anticipation and delays, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched early Wednesday. The Axiom 4 aka AK-4 mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 am local time (6:31 am GMT). The mission includes four astronauts, including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla. This is a historic moment for India, as Shukla becomes the second Indian astronaut to venture into space and the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.
Watch Falcon 9 launch Dragon and @Axiom_Space‘s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station https://t.co/OJYRpM5JCF
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 25, 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla jets off
The 14-day Ax-4 mission will focus on scientific research, educational outreach, and commercial activities in microgravity. Shubhanshu Shukla is joined by mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, as well as mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Axiom 4 marks first ISS mission in over 40 years for India, Poland, and Hungary.
Ax-4 is go for launch! pic.twitter.com/mnGATK01gf
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 25, 2025
