Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has etched his name in the annals of Indian space exploration as the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS). This historic feat occurred as the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), successfully docked with the ISS on Thursday, June 26, 2025, marking India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years.
The docking of the Dragon spacecraft to the space-facing port of the space station's Harmony module occurred at approximately 4:00 PM IST, ahead of schedule. The seven-member Expedition 73 team welcomed the Ax-4 team aboard the ISS, providing a safety briefing.
Group Captain Shukla, piloting the Axiom-4 mission, conveyed his excitement and national pride from space. "Namaskar, my dear countrymen. What a ride! We have returned to space after a gap of 41 years, and what an amazing ride it was," he exclaimed shortly after entering orbit. Addressing the nation in Hindi, he emphasized that his journey was not just a personal one but the beginning of India's human space program, urging every Indian to share in the pride. "Your chest, too, should swell with pride... Together, let's embark on this journey of India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!"
The Axiom-4 mission, a collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, carries significance for international spaceflight cooperation and India's burgeoning space program. ISRO invested approximately ₹500 crore (approximately $59 million) for Shukla's seat and training, highlighting the mission's strategic importance.
Group Captain Shukla's journey to space began with rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow, and continued at ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. This mission provides invaluable first-hand experience of operating in the space environment, adapting to microgravity, and conducting complex experiments, directly informing ISRO's preparations for the Gaganyaan mission and future endeavors.
During their 14-day stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew, including Commander Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, will conduct approximately 60 scientific experiments. These experiments include collaborations between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, focusing on food and nutrition-related studies. Shukla will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program.
The successful docking and Group Captain Shukla's message from space have resonated deeply within India. CMS president and manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon stated, "We are all overjoyed. Though their rocket is yet to reach space, we are already over the moon.”
As Group Captain Shukla embarks on this 14-day sojourn aboard the ISS, his achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations, underscoring India's growing capabilities and international collaborations in space exploration. His words, spoken from the threshold of the International Space Station, echo the sentiments of a nation filled with pride and anticipation for the future of Indian space exploration.
