Axiom 4: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian on ISS

Making history, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to ever set foot on the International Space Station (ISS).

In a live broadcast, the four-person crew of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission crossed over to the ISS after docking with the orbiting laboratory.

Group Captain Shukla Becomes the Second Indian in Space

Group Captain Shukla piloted Ax-4, taking off under the leadership of former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. He is the second Indian to travel to space, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984.

Ax-4 Mission: A Global Collaboration

Ax-4 is a commercial space mission operated by Axiom Space, a private company based in Houston. The launch took place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission is a joint effort involving NASA, ISRO, ESA, and SpaceX.

Successful Docking with the ISS

The spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. The Ax-4 crew joined the ISS crew, bringing the total number of crew members on the station to 11.

Historic Return to Space for India, Hungary, and Poland

This mission is not only significantly important for India but also for the European countries, Hungary and Poland, both returning to space after nearly 40 years alongside India.

Scientific Goals of the Mission

During their two-week stay, the crew will carry out 60 scientific experiments, including 7 developed by ISRO. The mission is focused on gathering data that will support future space missions.

Boost for India’s Space Ambitions

ISRO paid 5 billion rupees (about $59 million) for Group Captain Shukla's training and seat on Ax-4. This mission will help ISRO prepare for its first human spaceflight in 2027, as well as future plans to build a space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.