Technology • Jun 25, 2025

SpaceX's Falcon 9: Powering Shubhanshu Shukla's space journey

Shubhanshu Shukla is about to make history as the second Indian ever to head into space, nearly 41 years after Rakesh Sharma.
He's launching today on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), with liftoff scheduled at 12:01pm IST from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
If all goes well, he'll reach the International Space Station on June 26.

TL;DR

Falcon 9 Block 5—A reliable workhorse

Falcon 9 Block 5 isn't just any rocket—it's a reusable workhorse known for its safety and reliability, with a near-perfect track record across hundreds of launches.
Its smart design means it can keep going even if an engine fails, and it helps keep space travel costs down.
This same rocket has sent astronauts and satellites into orbit, making today's mission possible.