Axiom-4 Mission: Shubhanshu Shukla leaves for space with a successful lift off

Axiom-4 has finally lifted off after many delays on Wednesday. The SpaceX Falcon 9 spacecraft with the Crew Dragon capsule has four astronauts-- including India's Shubhanshu Shukla. The Ax4 crew is on its way to the Space Station. Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, was launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 2:31 am (6:31 am GMT). 

Shubhanshu Shukla from India is embarking on an American commercial mission to the International Space Station alongside three other astronauts, fulfilling the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians to send a second 'Gaganyatri' into space after more than 40 years.

Shukla, serving as the mission pilot, is the second Indian astronaut to venture into space, marking four decades since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984. At 39 years old, this fighter pilot was selected by ISRO as the chief astronaut for this momentous mission.