Historic Spaceflight: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Joins ISS Crew

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla embodies a historic moment in space exploration as he embarks on the Axiom-4 mission, becoming the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as the first Indian to step onto the International Space Station (ISS). On Wednesday, the esteemed Group Captain Shukla embarked on the Axiom-4 mission, which he's piloting, alongside a multi-national crew led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian Tibor Kapu. In a video shared by Axiom Space, the crew was seen floating inside the spacecraft shortly after launch, with plans for a two-week stay on the ISS.

Shukla's notable journey marks him as the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma's historic flight aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule in 1984. The Axiom-4 mission, hosted by Axiom Space and launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, lifted off at 02:31 EDT (06:31 GMT or 12:01 Indian time) on Wednesday. The spacecraft is projected to dock with the ISS on Thursday at 07:00 EDT (11:00 GMT or 16:30 India time). This mission represents a collaboration among NASA, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX, with the European crew’s participation marking their return to space after over four decades.

During their time on the ISS, the crew will engage in approximately 60 scientific experiments, with seven designed by ISRO. In return for securing Shukla's training and mission seat, ISRO allocated 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million). The Indian space agency plans to enhance its human spaceflight capabilities, aiming for India’s first-ever crewed mission in 2027, along with ambitious goals for a space station by 2035 and a lunar mission by 2040.

In a live uplink from the spacecraft, Shukla expressed excitement about his first day in space, stating, "What a ride!" He described the experience of weightlessness as "an amazing feeling" and shared his initial challenges adapting to the conditions of space. Further adding a whimsical touch to the mission, a toy swan named Joy has been dubbed the "fifth crew member," representing the mission's character and acting as a zero-gravity indicator.

Commander Peggy Whitson unveiled the name of their spacecraft, 'Grace,' which symbolizes the elegance of space exploration and the harmonious blend of scientific and humanitarian efforts. She noted that spaceflight transcends engineering feats, underlining its significance for all humanity.