On Tuesday afternoon, history was made in space—and for India.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon capsule. Among them: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, now the second Indian ever to go into space.
Just eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket detached and returned safely to Earth, landing back like a seasoned space commuter. The Crew Dragon capsule, with Shukla and the other astronauts, continued its journey toward the International Space Station (ISS), about 400 km above Earth.
This mission is called Axiom Mission 4, or AX-4, and it’s a big step forward in commercial space travel.
A Delayed Launch, Saved Just in Time
This wasn’t an easy launch.
The mission had already been delayed six times before. On Tuesday, a software glitch almost caused a seventh delay. The glitch stopped weather data from being uploaded—crucial information for any rocket launch.
But with just minutes left on the clock, engineers fixed the issue. And at 12:01 PM IST, the engines of Falcon 9 roared to life.
It lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, the same spot where Neil Armstrong began his journey to the Moon in 1969.
Liftoff of Ax-4! pic.twitter.com/RHiVFVdnz3
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 25, 2025
Falcon 9: Fast, Fierce, and Back on Earth
Falcon 9 is known for being reusable, and that’s what makes it such a game-changer.
Instead of falling into the ocean like traditional rockets, it returns to a landing pad, ready to be used again. This tech cuts down space costs big time and makes missions like AX-4 possible.
This particular Falcon 9 booster returned to Earth just eight minutes after launch, a stunning display of precision and tech power.
India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Joins the Stars
For India, this was a proud moment.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla now follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut. His seat on the AX-4 mission shows India’s rising role in global space efforts.
His presence on this flight is more than symbolic—it’s proof that Indian talent is at the forefront of cutting-edge missions.
What’s Next?
The Crew Dragon capsule is now heading to the ISS, a journey expected to take about 28 hours. Once it arrives, it will dock with the space station, and the astronauts will begin their mission in orbit.
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