History In Orbit: Shubhanshu Shukla Docks His Axiom-4 At International Space Station

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History In Orbit: Shubhanshu Shukla Docks His  Axiom-4 At International Space Station

India scripted a new chapter in its space saga on Thursday as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station (ISS). The historic moment occurred after the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft flawlessly docked with the orbiting laboratory, concluding a 28-hour journey from Earth.

The achievement marks India’s triumphant return to human spaceflight 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984 and signals a new era of collaboration in space. The Ax-4 crew had launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday.

Serving as the mission pilot, Shukla is part of a four-person international crew commanded by Peggy Whitson, a veteran former NASA astronaut. The crew also includes mission specialists Sławosz Uznański of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both of whom also made history as the first citizens of their respective countries to reach the ISS.

In an emotional message sent from orbit just before docking, Shukla greeted his homeland with a heartfelt message. “Namaskar from space,” he said, expressing immense pride in representing the nation. “Floating in the vacuum is indescribable. An amazing, humbling feeling. This isn’t just my achievement — it’s a collective one, shared by so many people back home.”

Shukla also shared a candid glimpse into his initial experience of acclimatising to microgravity. “Apparently, I’ve been sleeping a lot up here! I’m still getting used to zero gravity — like a baby learning how to walk, figuring out how to move and control myself. But I’m really enjoying every moment,” he added.

The multinational crew will spend approximately 14 days aboard the space station. During their stay, they will collaborate with the station’s resident Expedition 73 crew and conduct over 60 scientific experiments—the most ambitious research agenda for any private Axiom mission to date. The experiments will focus on diverse fields like cancer research, DNA repair, and advanced manufacturing in a microgravity environment.

The mission has been hailed as a landmark moment for the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla and the Ax-4 crew shortly after their launch, highlighting the mission as a powerful symbol of India’s rising stature in the global space community and a testament to the success of international partnerships.

As Group Captain Shukla begins his work 418 kilometers above Earth, his journey stands as a powerful inspiration for a new generation of Indians and a significant milestone in the nation’s ambitious space exploration goals, including the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

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