It was the fourth private astronaut mission funded by Houston-based Axiom Space and the second commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate will be a commander for a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station.

During his time aboard the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carried out seven India-specific microgravity experiments, highlighting the country's advancing expertise in space science and technology.

Shukla’s mission began with a launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on July 1, as part of the privately operated Axiom Space Mission-4. His arrival at the ISS marked a national milestone — the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission, and the very first to reach the orbiting laboratory.

The four private visitors to the International Space Station of the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission are set to head back to Earth riding home on the newest SpaceX Crew Dragon making its first return home.