New Delhi: India Post has introduced a commemorative stamp for the Axiom 4 mission, which saw ISRO Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla visit the International Space Station (ISS) on a short commercial flight with three other astronauts. The stamp is inspired by the mission patch, or the official insignia worn by Shukla during the Axiom 4 mission. Another stamp depicts the Human-Rated LVM3 rocket being developed by ISRO for its ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, the Chandrayaan 3 mission, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), and the Gaganyaan Crew Module. The stamps were released in Bengaluru in the presence of senior dignitaries from ISRO, India Post and the Department of Space.
Manish Tripathi said, “To see a design that began as an emblem on an astronaut’s suit find a place in India’s postal history is incredibly humbling. A stamp is not just a medium of communication, it is a lasting record. For this mission and its story to travel into homes across the country in this form is truly special.” The imagery on the stamps is conceived as a visual narrative that captures the spirit of exploration, national pride and India’s forward-looking vision in space. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan and Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla were also present for the release.
The Axiom 4 Mission
The Axiom 4 mission lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on 25 June, 2025, on board a SpaceX Dragon spaceship. It docked with the orbital complex for an 18 day stay, during which time ISRO Gaganyatri and seasoned test pilot became the first Indian to visit the ISS. He conducted a number of experiments on muscle atrophy, plant growth, microbial adaptation, cognitive effects of using screens in space, and crop resilience in microgravity. The experience of the mission and the training on the ground are both expected to provide valuable insights for ISRO’s own ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.