Reuters, Cape Canaveral, Florida, June 25 Early on Wednesday, Peggy Whitson, a former NASA employee who is now a private astronaut, was sent into orbit on her fifth voyage in her career. She was joined by crew members from India, Poland, and Hungary who were traveling to the ISS for the first time.
At before 2:30 a.m. EDT (0630 GMT), the astronaut team departed from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to begin the most recent mission, which was arranged by Texas-based startup Axiom Space in collaboration with Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX.
Why It Matters
India’s Space Comeback: Shukla is the first Indian astronaut to land on the International Space Station (ISS) and just the second Indian in total, following Rakesh Sharma (1984).
International Cooperation: The mission showcases international collaboration in private spaceflight by bringing together astronauts from the US, Poland, Hungary, and India.
📡 Docking at the ISS and Mission Milestones
Docking Completed: On June 26, at 10:31 UTC, Crew Dragon Grace docked at the ISS’s Harmony zenith port after approximately 28 hours in orbit.
Greetings on board: Hatches opened at 6:31 a.m. ET, and the ISS Expedition 73 staff welcomed the Ax-4 crew.
Historic Entry: Shukla became Astronaut No. 634 after Whitson gave him his pin and he spoke to the Indian nation in Hindi, delivering a heartfelt greeting.
🛰️ Inside the ISS: 60+ Experiments Underway
The crew will conduct more than 60 experiments during their two-week stay, including:
Biology in microgravity
Medical sciences
Research on AI and materials
Crops grown in space through an ISRO-NASA collaboration
Notably, one study will track glucose levels using continuous monitors and insulin pens to assess diabetic health in microgravity—a crucial step toward inclusive space missions
🇮🇳 Shukla’s Historic Role & Message
The first ISRO astronaut to visit the ISS is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an IAF pilot with over 2,000 flying hours and an aerospace engineer with AISc certification who was born in Lucknow in 1985. He trained with NASA and ISRO personnel for India’s impending Gaganyaan mission after being appointed in 2019.
He addressed India directly from orbit, stating: “I am learning like a baby. In terms of India’s manned space program, this is a modest but sensible first step. “Jai Hind.”
His accomplishments have inspired pride in the country, as evidenced by celebrations in Indian schools and praise from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
🌌 What This Means for India’s Space JourneyBy providing astronauts with essential ISS experience, this milestone fortifies India’s Gaganyaan mission, which is anticipated to take place in 2026–2027.
1. Confidence Boost: By providing astronauts with essential ISS experience, this milestone fortifies India’s Gaganyaan mission, which is anticipated to take place in 2026–2027.
2. Private Space Rising: Ax4 demonstrates how commercial space endeavors are becoming more and more important in international missions.
3. Motivating the Next Generation: Shukla serves as a role model for upcoming Indian space travelers through STEM education and public engagement.
✨ Final Thoughts
Axiom Mission 4 is more than just a mission; it is a proof-of-concept for commercial human spaceflight, a milestone for India’s space aspirations, and a victory for global cooperation. In addition to making history, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s voyage opens the door for India to become a permanent member of the spacefaring community.