Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), is actively engaged in groundbreaking research as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. Shukla, along with his international crewmates, is conducting experiments that could have far-reaching implications for medicine, agriculture, and space exploration [6][7].

The Ax-4 crew, which includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu, docked at the ISS on June 26, 2025, at 4:01 PM IST [6]. Since then, they have been immersed in a diverse array of scientific investigations.

One of the key studies underway is the 'Cancer in LEO-3' experiment, led by Commander Whitson. This research explores the behavior of cancer cells in microgravity, with a focus on tumor organoids and a new model of triple-negative breast cancer. Scientists hope that observing how these cells respond to drug treatments in space could lead to innovative cancer therapies for patients on Earth [7].

Shukla is contributing to the space microalgae experiment, which involves deploying sample bags and imaging algae strains. This research could potentially identify new food sources for long-duration space missions [10]. The crew is also documenting student experiments as part of the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge, which received over 80,000 submissions from students across the Arab world [9].

In a significant outreach effort, Shukla is set to make history again by establishing a ham radio contact with the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Karnataka, India. This event, organized by ISRO, will connect Shukla with school students across India, allowing them to interact directly with the astronaut and ask questions about life in space [4][5].

"With your love and blessings, I have reached the International Space Station," Shukla said during the formal welcome ceremony at the ISS. "It looks easy to stand here, but my head is a little heavy, facing some difficulty; but these are minor issues" [8].

The Ax-4 mission, which launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is scheduled for a 14-day stay on the ISS [8]. As the mission progresses, the crew continues to adapt to microgravity while advancing scientific research that could benefit life on Earth and future space exploration.

Back on Earth, Shukla's achievement has been celebrated by political leaders. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, along with his wife and Lok Sabha MP Dimple Yadav, visited Shukla's family in Lucknow on June 30, 2025 [1][2][3]. Earlier, on June 27, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also met with the astronaut's family [1].

As the Ax-4 mission continues, the world watches with anticipation for the scientific breakthroughs and inspirational moments yet to come from this historic international collaboration in space.