Historic Milestone for India as Ax-4 Mission Docks at ISS
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history on June 28 by becoming the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in over four decades. The 44-year-old astronaut docked with the ISS at 4:30 pm IST aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of the Ax-4 mission, marking a major achievement for India’s space ambitions.
Smooth Launch After Delays and Technical Fixes
Shukla’s journey began with a successful launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 pm IST on June 25 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission had faced multiple delays due to technical issues, including a leak in the Russian Zvezda module of the ISS, which was sealed in March. Despite earlier concerns, the spacecraft, traveling at 28,000 km/h, completed its final approach and safely docked with the ISS as scheduled.
“Namaskar from Space”: Shukla’s Emotional Message
In a video message shared by Axiom Space on social media, Shukla appeared thrilled and emotional. “Namaskar from space. I’m really excited to be here with my fellow astronauts. What a ride it was,” he said. “I witnessed the Earth from this vantage point. It looks like a painting of blues and greens… I’ll never forget that moment.”
Wearing the Indian flag proudly on his shoulder, Shukla invited fellow Indians to share in the historic moment. “The tricolour brings us all together as Indians,” he said, describing the experience as “dream-like.”
International Crew with a Shared Mission
Shukla is joined on the Ax-4 mission by commander Peggy Whitson (USA), mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The astronaut noted in a lighter moment that the crew spent much of their journey joking with each other, reflecting the camaraderie on board.
Scientific Experiments With Global Collaboration
The Ax-4 mission, jointly operated by Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO, will carry out over 60 scientific experiments during its 14-day stay at the ISS. India is leading seven of these, including pioneering research on seed germination in microgravity, radiation shielding for spacecraft, and in-space biofabrication.
This collaboration is part of a broader plan by India to strengthen its capabilities in space science and exploration. The findings from these experiments are expected to contribute to ISRO’s own manned spaceflight program.
Laying the Groundwork for Gaganyaan and Beyond
India’s Gaganyaan mission, which was earlier scheduled for 2024, will see astronauts launched into space aboard an Indian spacecraft. Until then, ISRO has partnered with Axiom Space for missions like Ax-4 to build technical experience and prepare for a future Indian space station by 2035. The cost of this collaboration is estimated at ₹548 crore.
National Leaders Hail the Mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla, stating that the astronaut carries “the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.” President Droupadi Murmu described the mission as a “proud milestone in India’s growing participation in the human exploration of space.”
A 14-Day Journey Among the Stars
Shukla and his crew will remain aboard the ISS for two weeks, conducting a series of experiments that aim to push the boundaries of science, medicine, and space exploration. As India celebrates this achievement, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s space journey—one that brings the dream of space travel closer to home.
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