New Delhi [India]: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially announced an international space mission involving an Indian astronaut’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for May 2025.
The announcement followed a high-level review meeting held to assess ISRO’s major upcoming projects. During the meeting, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, confirmed the historic mission.
“India is ready for its next space milestone,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, underscoring the significance of the upcoming human spaceflight and a series of critical ISRO missions.
The mission will mark a historic moment—the first time an Indian astronaut will visit the ISS, and the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is all set to participate in Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission to the ISS next month.
The official release from the Department of Space stated:
“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is all prepared to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) next month as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission.”
This mission represents a significant step in India’s growing international space partnerships, reflecting the nation’s expanding role in human spaceflight programs.
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted how these missions, along with India’s Gaganyaan initiative, align with the national vision of self-reliance and technological leadership in space exploration.
“The collaboration with international partners and the strategic momentum of projects like Gaganyaan reflect India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in space technology.”
Additionally, ISRO has lined up several key missions between May and July 2025, including:
- PSLV-C61 launch, carrying the advanced EOS-09 satellite, equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar for high-resolution Earth imaging under all weather and light conditions.
- Test Vehicle-D2 (TV-D2) mission, intended to simulate an abort scenario and test the Gaganyaan Crew Escape System, including sea recovery operations of the crew module.
These missions are not just technological advancements but also steps toward achieving India’s broader goal of becoming a space superpower.