Shubhanshu Shukla becomes second Indian in space as SpaceX Dragon docks with ISS

In a defining moment for India’s space journey, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has become the second Indian ever to travel to space, following in the footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who made history in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11.

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in global space collaboration.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying four astronauts including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, autonomously docked ahead of schedule at 4:01 PM IST to the space-facing port of the ISS’s Harmony module.

A live videolink from NASA showed the spacecraft approaching the space station and the docking sequence was completed at 4:15 pm IST.

The automated docking manoeuvre was closely monitored by NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers. The four-member Ax-4 crew was welcomed by the seven-member Expedition 73 team aboard the orbiting laboratory and is now set to participate in a standard safety briefing.

The Ax-4 crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The international team lifted off at noon IST on June 25 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

This mission is especially historic as it marks the first time an ISRO astronaut has reached the space station, a result of growing collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It also features the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the ISS.

In a live interaction from space prior to docking, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is serving as the mission pilot, reflected on the emotional and physical intensity of launch.

#WATCH | "Namaskar from space! I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts. What a ride it was," says Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu, who is piloting #AxiomMission4, as he gives details about his journey into space.

Carrying a soft toy Swan, he says, in Indian… pic.twitter.com/Z09Mkxhfdj

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025

"I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts--what a ride it was. Honestly, as I sat in the capsule 'Grace' on the launchpad yesterday after 30 days of quarantine, all I could think was: just go. When the launch finally happened, it was something else entirely. You're pushed back into the seat--and then suddenly, there's silence. You're just floating in the vacuum, and it's magical," he said.

Shukla expressed deep appreciation for the efforts behind the mission, stating: "I truly appreciate the efforts of every individual who made this journey possible. It's not just a personal accomplishment--it belongs to all of us."

The Ax-4 team is scheduled to spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, where they will conduct a wide range of scientific experiments, commercial activities, and educational outreach. This is Axiom Space’s most research-intensive mission to date, with multiple projects jointly conducted by NASA and ISRO.

The scientific goals of the mission include experiments on muscle regeneration, growth of edible microalgae, survival of aquatic microorganisms, and human interaction with digital interfaces in microgravity—critical areas of study that could shape the future of long-duration space travel.

The successful docking and mission execution affirm India’s emergence as a growing player in the field of human spaceflight, with Group Captain Shukla now symbolizing a new era of international cooperation and national pride in space exploration.