In a historic moment for India’s space journey, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), 40 years after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Salyut-7.
The achievement came as the SpaceX Dragon capsule, part of the Axiom 4 Mission, successfully docked with the ISS on Thursday at 4:30 PM IST. Shukla, along with three international crewmates, began the journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, lifted into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday.
A Global Team on a Pioneering Mission
The Axiom 4 crew includes:
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India, 39)
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland, 41)
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary, 33)
- Peggy Whitson (USA, 65) – the mission commander and former NASA astronaut
Whitson, a spaceflight veteran, holds the U.S. record for the most cumulative time spent in space—675 days—and now serves as Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight.
The team will spend 14 days aboard the ISS conducting scientific experiments in microgravity. For India, Poland, and Hungary, this marks the first crewed mission to the ISS, renewing their presence in human spaceflight after decades.
Shubhanshu’s Journey to the Stars
Shukla, who follows in the footsteps of IAF pilot Rakesh Sharma, expressed hope that his mission would inspire the next generation of space explorers. Before the launch, he said, “I hope my journey motivates young minds just like Rakesh Sharma inspired us.”
In his first message from space, Shukla reflected on the surreal nature of space travel: “Adapting to microgravity feels like learning to live again, like a baby. Floating in space is simply amazing.”
The Axiom-SpaceX Partnership
The mission highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration. Axiom 4 is the fourth human spaceflight mission by Axiom Space, a Houston-based company co-founded by a former NASA official. It also marks SpaceX’s 18th human spaceflight since 2020 under its partnership with NASA.
The Crew Dragon capsule autonomously docked with the ISS after a 28-hour journey, joining seven existing crew members aboard the orbiting outpost 400 km above Earth.
Interesting Read
A New Era for Space Exploration
With the retirement of the ISS expected around 2030, Axiom Space is positioning itself at the forefront of commercial space missions. The company is currently building its own space station to serve future research and commercial needs in low Earth orbit.
Shukla’s presence aboard the ISS signifies a powerful new chapter for India in space. This mission is not just a scientific endeavor but a symbol of global collaboration, technological progress, and renewed ambitions in the final frontier.
