India has re-entered the elite club of nations with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after 41 years. On June 26, Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to physically set foot on the orbiting laboratory, as part of the privately funded Axiom-4 mission.
Historic Docking at the ISS
The SpaceX Dragon capsule “Grace,” carrying Shukla and fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Tibor Kapu (Hungary), and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), docked with the ISS after a 28-hour flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The hatch opened around 17:44 IST on June 26, allowing Shukla to step inside through the Harmony module.
A Milestone for India’s Space Vision
Shukla’s arrival marks the first time an Indian has boarded the ISS. He is the second Indian-born astronaut in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s Soviet-era mission in 1984—but the first from India’s own space programme to reach the Station.
Words from Space: “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat”
Upon his entry, Shukla uttered his first message: “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” acknowledging the immense personal and national pride in this achievement. He described the moment as “not easy to stand here,” reflecting on the rigorous journey to reach this historic milestone.
Axiom-4: Private Spaceflight, Global Collaboration
The Axiom-4 mission, led by commander Peggy Whitson, is one of the first privately funded human missions to the ISS. Shukla’s participation underscores growing global collaboration: crew members include mission specialists from the U.S., Poland, and Hungary.
What’s Next: Indian Ambitions Beyond the ISS
Shukhla will spend two weeks aboard the ISS, engaging in microgravity experiments. His mission—with astronaut Prasanth Nair serving as backup—bolsters India’s steps toward future space milestones, including the Gaganyaan mission, planned for 2027.
National Euphoria and Wake-Up Call
The mission sparked celebrations back home—Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and the Indian Air Force extended their congratulations via social media. Beyond pride, Shukla’s journey highlights emerging opportunities in India’s expanding space ecosystem, balancing state-led efforts with commercial partnerships.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s milestone stands as a testament to India’s rising presence in space. As the country revives its human spaceflight legacy, the mission opens a new chapter—suggesting that India’s celestial ambitions have only just begun.
