The Axiom4 mission, launched on June 25, 2025, signifies a major advancement in India's space program and its journey towards becoming a "Viksit Bharat." Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the mission as the realization of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai's dream under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, serving as the Mission Pilot, is part of a four-member international crew en route to the International Space Station (ISS). He will conduct pioneering space experiments using indigenously developed kits from Indian institutions like IITs, IISc, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These experiments will focus on the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on edible microalgae, a potential sustainable food source for long-duration space missions. The research is expected to contribute significantly to future deep-space missions, including India's Gaganyaan mission. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the ISS on June 26 at approximately 4:30 pm IST. The launch event was attended by dignitaries, including the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson AC, and the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, along with senior scientists and officials. The Axiom4 Mission underscores India's growing capabilities in space exploration, innovation, and its commitment to global space initiatives. Release ID: 2139645.
Key Entities Referenced
Axiom4 Mission: A space mission that marks India's progress towards becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' and a giant leap in space exploration.
Viksit Bharat: A vision for a developed India, signifying the country's advancement in various fields, including space technology.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister who declared the Axiom4 Mission and highlighted its significance for India.
Vikram Sarabhai: The founding father of India's Space programme, whose dream is being realized through missions like Axiom4.
Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India, whose leadership and reforms are credited with transforming India's role in space exploration.
Shubhanshu Shukla: Indian astronaut, Group Captain, and Mission Pilot, part of the Axiom4 Mission's international crew.
International Space Station (ISS): The destination for the Axiom4 Mission, where astronauts will conduct experiments, including those developed in India.
Gaganyaan mission: India's much-awaited human spaceflight mission, referenced in the context of the long-term sustainability of human presence in space.
Department of Space
"Axiom-4 Mission Heralds India’s Ascent to Viksit
Bharat,” declares Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
Axiom-4 Marks Realisation of Vikram Sarabhai’s
dream Under PM Modi’s Visionary Leadership: Dr.
Jitendra Singh
ISRO’s Global Ascent: PM Modi’s Reforms Place
India at the Forefront of Space Exploration
From Follower to Frontliner: India Now an Equal
Global Partner in Space Endeavours
Indian Astronaut Shukla to Conduct Pioneering
Space Experiments with Indigenous Kits
Posted On: 25 JUN 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi
“Axiom-4 Mission heralds India’s ascent to Viksit Bharat".
This was the instant reaction of Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, as he led the cheering audience in giving a
standing ovation to Shubhanshu Shukla and other three astronauts when the real-time visuals of successful
Axiom 4 launch flashed during the special live screening of the event at Bhatnagar Auditorium of
Anusandhan Bhavan, here today.
In a historic and proud moment for India, the launch of the Axiom-4 Mission marks a giant leap in the
country’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat, remarked the Minister.Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, serving as the Mission Pilot, is part of a four-member
international crew heading to the International Space Station (ISS).
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “This is the realization of the dream of the founding father of India’s Space
programme, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan—now being fulfilled under the leadership of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.”
Dr. Jitendra Singh attributed this milestone to the bold reforms introduced by the Government under PM
Modi, which have transformed India from a technology follower to an equal and respected global partner in
space exploration.
Highlighting India’s contribution to the mission, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that Group Captain Shukla iscarrying indigenously developed experiment kits, created by leading Indian institutions like IITs, IISc, and the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These kits will be used to conduct advanced experiments at the ISS.
“The biotech experiments aim to study the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on the growth of
edible microalgae—a nutrient-dense, sustainable food source rich in proteins, lipids, and bioactive
compounds, ideal for long-duration space missions,” the Minister stated.
These studies are expected to significantly contribute to future deep-space missions and the long-term
sustainability of human presence in space, including India's much-awaited Gaganyaan mission.
The spacecraft is expected to dock at the ISS on June 26 at around 7 am EDT, i.e. 4.30 pm IST.
The launch event was telecast live at Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, and was attended by senior dignitaries
including Her Excellency Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and Mr. Philip Green,
Australian High Commissioner to India, who had earlier called on Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Also present were Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG CSIR, Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences,
along with senior scientists and officials from various science departments and autonomous bodies.
The Axiom-4 Mission is not just a scientific feat but a testament to India’s rising stature as a global
technology powerhouse. It reinforces the nation’s capability to lead space innovation, promote sustainability,
and contribute meaningfully to global missions.
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(Release ID: 2139645)