The planned journey of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) has been pushed back, Axiom Space has confirmed. The launch, originally set for May 29, will now take place on June 8, 2025.

The delay comes after a minor technical issue was discovered during final checks ahead of the Ax-4 mission’s liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will use a SpaceX Dragon capsule, powered by a Falcon 9 rocket, and is expected to last up to two weeks.

Shukla’s flight marks a landmark moment for India: he will become the first Indian to reach the ISS and the second Indian in space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.

Group Captain Shukla will serve as the pilot on this international mission. The rest of the Ax-4 crew includes veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson as mission commander, along with Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski from Poland as mission specialists.

During their time aboard the ISS, the astronauts will carry out various scientific experiments, technology tests, and public engagement efforts. Shukla will also perform several studies tied to India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, including research on muscle degeneration, adaptation to zero gravity, and space-based farming techniques.

A highly accomplished test pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours, Shukla was inducted into India’s astronaut training program in 2019. He has undergone rigorous training across India, Russia, and the United States in preparation for this mission.

His role in the Ax-4 mission is seen as a crucial step in India’s path toward establishing itself as a significant force in human spaceflight, especially with Gaganyaan, India’s first planned crewed mission, targeted for 2027.

Despite the schedule adjustment, both ISRO and Axiom Space maintain that the delay is due to a minor technical issue and have assured that the mission remains on track, with all systems deemed reliable and safe for launch.