In 2023, I boarded a flight to India with a suitcase full of dreams and a mission that felt larger than life. Alongside Axiom Space’s then Chief Revenue Officer—now CEO—Tejpaul Bhatia, I traveled across New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, my birthplace, to explore what would become a historic opportunity: partnering with the Government of India on a human spaceflight mission.
Tucked inside my suitcase were three meaningful items: a U.S.-India lapel pin, a sense of hope, and the Tiranga—the Indian tricolor flag—that had already flown to space aboard Axiom Mission 2. But this wasn’t just a business trip; it was a deeply personal journey, connecting my family’s heritage to the frontiers of space.
Bridging Heritage and Horizons
As someone raised in the Indian diaspora, I’ve always been taught to carry my culture with pride—to act as an everyday ambassador of Indian heritage. But never did I imagine that my career in space exploration would become a direct expression of that identity. Yet here we are.
Today, I’m incredibly proud to share that Axiom Space is working in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—a mission that will launch India’s return to human spaceflight after nearly four decades.
🇮🇳 “The Journey of 1.4 Billion People”
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a seasoned Indian Air Force pilot, will make history as the second Indian citizen in space and the first to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). His words say it all:
“I may be going alone, but it’s the journey of 1.4 billion people.”
For India, Ax-4 isn’t just a flight; it’s a turning point. It revives the legacy of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew to space in 1984, and it paves the way for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s own human spaceflight program.
This mission marks India’s debut into ISS operations and microgravity research—laying the groundwork for long-term space presence, commercial exploration, and deeper international collaboration.
🚀 US-India Space Ties: From Vision to Launchpad
Ax-4 is also a powerful symbol of US-India space cooperation. Its vision was outlined in the India-USA Joint Statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023. Now, it’s becoming reality.
This joint effort between ISRO and NASA, facilitated by Axiom Space, connects not just two space agencies, but two democracies, two hemispheres, and a shared dream for the future of space exploration.
🌍 Axiom Space: Pioneering a New Space Economy
At Axiom, we’re building the future—literally.
- We are the only company to have conducted commercial astronaut missions to the ISS.
- Our upcoming commercial space station, currently under development, will extend humanity’s presence in low Earth orbit.
- And we’re building the next-generation lunar spacesuit—so when NASA lands the first woman on the Moon, she’ll be wearing an Axiom suit.
Ax-4 is more than a mission. It’s a chance for ISRO to expand its astronaut training, refine mission operations, and engage in vital microgravity research. It’s a platform for collaboration, innovation, and global leadership.
🌟 Diaspora and Destiny: A Personal Reflection
Being a part of this historic mission is a dream I didn’t know I had. From receiving the Esteemed Speaker Award from ISRO Director S. Unnikrishnan Nair at the 2024 Indian Space Conclave, to hosting thought-provoking webinars with Indiaspora and the South Asian Journalists Association, I’ve had the privilege to share and shape a vision of space that includes all of us.
As members of the Indian diaspora, we often reflect on the legacy our parents left us. Now, we have the chance to create our own—to inspire the next generation of Indian and Indian-American explorers, scientists, and engineers to not only dream bigger, but to aim higher.
👨🚀 Meet the Ax-4 Crew
- Peggy Whitson – Commander & Director of Human Spaceflight, Axiom Space
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla – Pilot, representing India
- Tibor Kapu – Mission Specialist, Hungary
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski – Mission Specialist, Poland
This diverse international crew symbolizes the unity and global spirit of this mission. As we look to the stars, we’re reminded that space belongs to all of us—and our best work is done together.
🚀 Final Thoughts
India’s return to human spaceflight through Axiom Mission 4 isn’t just a national milestone—it’s a global event. It signals a new era where science, diplomacy, and heritage intersect above the Earth. And for those of us who’ve grown up between two cultures, it’s a moment of personal pride and professional purpose.
The Tiranga is heading back to space. And this time, it’s not just carried in a suitcase—it’s flying in the heart of the mission.
Source : Indiaspora
