Isro Lines Up Major Space Missions from May to July 2025

Leading the line-up is the scheduled spaceflight of Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 29, 2025, as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission. This mission marks a significant step in India’s global space collaboration efforts and serves as a precursor to the country’s own Gaganyaan crewed mission.
A decorated test pilot, Group Captain Shukla was shortlisted under Isro’s Human Spaceflight Programme (HSP) and is among the top contenders for Gaganyaan, which is India’s first indigenous orbital crewed flight.

His journey aboard the Ax-4 mission will offer vital hands-on training in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, and emergency procedures, forming a crucial foundation for India’s long-term human spaceflight ambitions.

The announcement was made by Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who chaired a high-level review meeting held recently on Isro’s upcoming mission plans. Isro chairman Dr V. Narayanan provided detailed updates on several critical
launches scheduled over the next three months.

Among the major launches, Isro will lift off the PSLV-C61 rocket on May 18, carrying the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite. Originally slated for May 19, the launch has been advanced by a day.

EOS-09, equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar, is designed to capture high-resolution images of Earth’s surface regardless of weather or time of day, enhancing India’s surveillance and disaster management capabilities.

Another key mission is Test Vehicle-D2 (TV-D2), a critical component of the Gaganyaan programme. It will simulate an abort scenario to demonstrate the Crew Escape System and test various components including sea recovery operations, control systems, thermal protection, parachutes, and a scaled-down life support system, which are all essential for future human spaceflight.

In June, Isro will join hands with Nasa to launch the Nisar satellite aboard GSLV-F16. NISAR, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory jointly developed by Nasa and Isro, will map the entire globe every 12 days using dual-frequency radar (Nasa’s L-band and Isro’s S-band). The mission aims to study Earth’s ecosystems, ice sheets, sea level rise, and natural hazards like earthquakes and landslides.

Looking ahead to July, the LVM3-M5 mission will support a commercial contract with AST SpaceMobile Inc., USA, launching BlueBird Block-2 satellites under NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).