
NASA announced that an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer and ISRO Khalbaz, Shobhansho Shukla, has been named a private space flight pilot launched at the International Space Station (ISS) in Spring 2025. Thursday

Mission will end NasaKennedy Space Center in Florida, a Space X Dragon boarded the spacecraft, Shabbashino Shukla The first Indian astronaut to visit ISS on a private mission.
Shobhansho Shukla, an IAF officer, is also part of the Indian program. The AX-4 mission will be ordered by NASA’s former astronaut Pagi Whiteson, Director of Exam Space Human Space Flights. The two mission experts are Poland-based ESA project astronauts Sławosz Uznanski-Wisinewski and Hungarian-based Tabor Kapo.
Expressing enthusiasm for private astronaut missions, NASA’s ISS program manager Dana Wegel emphasized his role in pursuing low -earth orbiting and enhancing access to microority environment.
Also read | Group captain Shobanshu Shukla chose for a space station mission
“I’m excited to see the constant interest and dedication towards private astronaut missions riding at the International Space Station,” said Dana Wegel.
“When NASA looks at the future of the orbit of the Low Earth, private astronaut missions have helped pave the way and increase access to the unique environment of microorganisms,” NASA said.
Missions of Excomes Space
Examspace has previously held three private astronaut missions in ISS. According to the news agency, the first, AX-1, was launched in April 2022 for a 17-day stay, followed by AX-2 in May 2023, and AX-3 in January 2024, which remained for 18 days.
Whiten praised the AX-4 staff’s dedication to the space search, which highlighted his commitment to advance boundaries and create new opportunities for his nations.
Meanwhile, NASA said it was working with Space X to ensure the safe return of Indian Oregon astronaut Sunita Williams and astronaut Butt Vilmor, who has been in ISS for 238 days. This comes when Elon Musk claims that former US President Donald Trump has called for speeding up his return.