Axiom Mission 4 lifts off with Shubhanshu Shukla as Mission Pilot
On 25 June 2025 at 12:01 IST, Axiom Mission 4 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, carrying India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as Mission Pilot.
Summary
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-04) lifted off at 12:01 IST on 25 June 2025 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. ISRO said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an ISRO astronaut from the Gaganyaan pool, is the Mission Pilot and prime crew member. Prashanth B. Nair, also from the Gaganyaan pool, was named backup. The launch, earlier set for 19 June, was called off until open issues were resolved. ISRO said the mission follows the legacy that sent Rakesh Sharma to space in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz. PM Narendra Modi welcomed the launch.
Key facts
- Lift-off
- 25 June 2025, 12:01 IST
- Launch site
- Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Rocket
- SpaceX Falcon 9
- Indian role
- Shubhanshu Shukla, Mission Pilot (Gaganyaan pool)
- Backup crew
- Prashanth B. Nair (Gaganyaan pool)
- Earlier attempt
- 19 June launch called off
- Legacy (static)
- Rakesh Sharma, 1984, Soviet Soyuz
Practice MCQs 4 questions
At what time (IST) did Axiom Mission 4 lift off on 25 June 2025, according to ISRO?
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Correct answer: B — 12:01 IST
ISRO: the mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre at 12:01 Hrs IST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Which ISRO astronaut from the Gaganyaan pool was nominated as the backup crew member for Axiom Mission 4?
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Correct answer: C — Prashanth B. Nair
ISRO: Prashanth B. Nair, also an ISRO astronaut from the Gaganyaan pool, was nominated as the backup crew member.
ISRO said the Axiom-4 mission follows the legacy of international cooperation that sent Rakesh Sharma to space in 1984. Aboard which spacecraft did he fly?
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Correct answer: A — Soviet Soyuz
ISRO: the mission follows the legacy of international cooperation that sent Rakesh Sharma to space in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz.
Consider the following statements about the launch of Axiom Mission 4: 1. The mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. 2. It was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. 3. A launch scheduled on 19 June 2025 had been called off before the eventual launch. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
ISRO: all three are correct. Lift-off was from LC-39A, KSC, on a Falcon 9, and the launch scheduled on 19 June was called off to resolve issues.