In a landmark moment for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic milestone for the country after a gap of 41 years since Rakesh Sharma’s legendary spaceflight in 1984.
The Indian Air Force officer is part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, a private spaceflight operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, ESA, and SpaceX. The mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 PM IST on Wednesday and successfully docked with the ISS at 4:01 PM IST the following day.
India’s Return to Human Spaceflight
Group Captain Shukla’s mission is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a giant leap for India’s growing space program. ISRO has invested ₹5 billion ($59 million) to secure Shukla’s seat on this mission, with hopes of gaining crucial hands-on experience ahead of India’s first indigenous human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, set for launch in 2027.
During his two-week stay aboard the ISS, Shukla and his international crewmates—including astronauts from Poland and Hungary—will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by ISRO. The mission also helps India gather valuable insights for its long-term goals of building a space station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
“What a Ride!”: Shukla’s First Words from Space
In a live interaction with mission control, Group Captain Shukla expressed his awe and joy.
“What a ride! Floating in space is a surreal experience. I’m learning everything from scratch—how to walk, eat, and even read up here,” he laughed, describing his first 24 hours aboard the ISS.
He also introduced the mission’s symbolic mascot—Joy, a small white toy swan, which acts as their zero-gravity indicator.
“Joy symbolizes wisdom and the ability to focus on what truly matters—an essential message in today’s age of distractions,” said Shukla.
A Collaborative Global Mission
The Ax-4 mission is led by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, making it a globally significant collaboration. The name of their spacecraft, Grace, was chosen to reflect the harmony of science and spirit in space exploration.
“Grace is not just a name—it represents elegance, unity, and goodwill. Spaceflight is not only about engineering—it’s a symbol of what humanity can achieve together,” Whitson said.
With Shukla’s arrival, the crew aboard the ISS now totals 11 astronauts from around the globe. The mission underscores a new era of public-private international partnerships in space exploration.