The countdown is on for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot, to make history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), set to launch on June 10, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. However, a recent high-profile feud between US President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has sparked concerns.
This Ax-4 mission is a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with India investing over $60 million. Shukla will conduct seven experiments in agriculture, food, and human biology, paving the way for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan program.
But will the latest political drama surrounding Musk and Trump cast a shadow over Shukla’s mission and India’s future space dreams? As of now, the evidence suggests the mission is on track, but the episode raises questions about the stability of international space collaborations.
The Trump-Musk clash erupted on June 5, 2025, when Musk publicly criticized Trump’s tax cut and spending plans. In retaliation, Trump threatened to cancel government contracts with SpaceX, the company responsible for launching Ax-4 using its Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket. Musk, never one to back down, announced on X that SpaceX would decommission the Dragon spacecraft, a move that sent shockwaves through the space community. Since the Dragon is critical for Ax-4, this threat raised fears of delays, especially for India, which has pinned high hopes on Shukla’s journey.
Fortunately, Musk quickly reversed his stance within hours, responding to criticism with, “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” and sharing a patriotic image of the US flag with the spacecraft. Official sources, including NASA and Axiom Space, have since confirmed that the launch remains scheduled for June 10 at 8.22am EDT, with no reported disruptions.
This swift resolution is reassuring, but the episode highlights the fragility of space missions in the face of political egos. NASA’s Johnson Space Center posted on X, “Axiom Mission 4 is targeting launch for Tuesday, June 10 at 8:22am EDT to the @Space_Station,” and Axiom Space’s updated FAQ echoes this timeline.
If the mission takes on as per schedule, it will be a major relief for India, as Shukla’s mission is more than a symbolic milestone. His experiments, such as studying crop seeds and human-computer interactions in microgravity, are crucial for ISRO’s long-term vision of a sustained human presence in space, which also includes plans for an Indian space station. A delay could disrupt this momentum and affect preparations for Gaganyaan, where Shukla’s ISS experience is vital.
“Looking beyond June 10, the Trump-Musk feud raises broader concerns about the future of space exploration. SpaceX is a linchpin in global space efforts, ferrying astronauts to the ISS and supporting private missions like Ax-4. Its partnership with NASA and international players like ISRO underscores the interconnected nature of modern spaceflight,” pointed out space expert Girish Linganna.
However, the spat reveals how personal and political conflicts can threaten these collaborations. Trump’s threat to pull contracts and Musk’s impulsive response show that even temporary disruptions can create uncertainty.
“For countries like India, which rely on SpaceX’s proven technology, such volatility could complicate future missions. If tensions escalate, leading to policy shifts or contract disputes, smaller space programs might face delays or increased costs, hindering their growth,” added Linganna.
However, the quick de-escalation of this feud, driven by public and industry pressure, suggests that pragmatic interests often prevail. Space exploration, after all, is a shared human endeavour that transcends borders and egos. Ax-4 itself is a testament to this, with a diverse crew from India, Poland, and Hungary working together.
For India, the focus must remain on leveraging this mission to build expertise and inspire a new generation. Shukla’s journey, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 flight, is a reminder of India’s potential to shine in space. As long as key players like NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO maintain their commitment, political noise is unlikely to derail India’s trajectory.
As of now, the Trump-Musk feud, while alarming, appears to have spared Axiom Mission 4, with Shukla’s launch set to proceed as planned. However, it is a kind of wake-up call about the risks of political instability in space exploration. India must continue strengthening its space program, fostering global partnerships, and preparing for a future where such dramas don’t dim its stellar ambitions.