Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Reaches ISS in Historic Private Spaceflight
| 2025-06-26
US, Jun 25: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with three of his crewmates, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US) as commander, Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu set to launch Axiom-4 Mission into space aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, en route to the International Space Station (ISS), in Florida on Wednesday.
Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian in 41 years to reach the International Space Station, joining SpaceX's Axiom-4 mission launched from Florida.
The launch marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years. The last Indian astronaut to travel to space was Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.
The Ax-4 crew includes four astronauts: mission commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The Dragon spacecraft, named Grace, is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station approximately 28 hours after launch.
Shortly after reaching orbit, Shukla addressed viewers in Hindi: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years.” Speaking from inside the capsule, he said, “This is not just my journey to the ISS, but the beginning of India’s human spaceflight journey.”
The launch generated wide public interest across India, especially in Shukla’s hometown of Lucknow, where students and teachers from his alma mater, City Montessori School, watched the event live alongside his family. Emotional scenes were reported as viewers reacted to the successful liftoff.
Axiom Space confirmed that the crew would spend 14 days aboard the ISS conducting more than 60 experiments. According to the company, the scientific investigations span human physiology, space-based technology, and Earth observation. Seven of the experiments were proposed by Indian researchers.
Adding a cultural dimension to the mission, the astronauts brought traditional food from their home countries. Shukla included Indian curry, rice, and mango nectar, while his teammates brought Hungarian paprika paste and Polish dumplings.
Before the launch, Shukla emphasised that the mission’s purpose went beyond personal achievement. “While I may be one individual travelling to space, this journey belongs to all 1.4 billion Indians,” he said. “I want to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation.”
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold a live video interaction with Shukla during the mission. In preparation, outreach events have been planned across Indian schools and research institutions to engage students in space science.
The Falcon 9 rocket, which powered the launch, is a reusable two-stage launch vehicle developed by SpaceX. Known for its ability to land and be reused, the booster stage of the rocket returned to Earth just under eight minutes after launch. SpaceX has now achieved over 450 successful booster landings, significantly reducing the cost of access to space.
The Crew Dragon capsule is set to dock with the ISS while orbiting approximately 400 kilometres above Earth. Once aboard, the astronauts will join the station's resident crew for a two-week scientific mission.
Context:
Shukla’s mission underscores the growing role of private companies in expanding access to space. Unlike earlier missions carried out solely by national space agencies, Ax-4 is a collaboration between SpaceX, Axiom Space, and international partners. This represents a shift towards commercial spaceflight, enabling countries like India, Hungary, and Poland to re-enter human space travel through non-governmental partnerships.
For India, the flight comes at a crucial moment as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares for its own indigenous human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. Shukla’s journey is seen by many as both symbolic and strategic, reviving public enthusiasm for space exploration and demonstrating the country's readiness to engage more deeply in crewed missions.
It also reflects a broader international interest in diversifying participation in space. Poland and Hungary, like India, are sending representatives to space after decades, reinforcing the inclusive direction of contemporary spaceflight.
The mission has been widely celebrated in India and among the global Indian diaspora, with hashtags such as #ShuklaInSpace and #IndiaInOrbit trending on social media. As India continues its push toward advanced space capabilities, including lunar and interplanetary missions, Shukla’s voyage may be remembered as a key turning point.
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