Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian to Set Foot on the ISS

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian to Set Foot on the ISS

In a historic milestone, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian ever to step foot on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Launched on 26 June 2025, the mission is operated by Houston-based Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, ESA, and SpaceX.

🚀 A Historic Voyage

• Launch Date: 26 June 2025 at 02:31 EDT (12:01 IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
• Crew: Led by ex-NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, alongside Shukla, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. Docking: The spacecraft docked with the ISS on 27 June 2025, with all crew members entering via a pressurized vestibule before hatches were opened

🎖️ Significance for India

• Shukla’s distinction: First Indian to physically be aboard ISS; second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984
• ISRO collaboration: India paid ₹5 billion (~$59 million) to send Shukla, with hands-on ISS experience supporting its planned 2027 human spaceflight mission (Gaganyaan)

🔬 Mission Objectives

During their two-week mission, the crew will conduct 60 scientific experiments, including seven experiments developed by ISRO These research activities play a key role in preparing for India’s own orbital missions and future space station goals.

🧭 Crew Experiences

In a live uplink following the docking, Group Captain Shukla shared:

“What a ride! ... It’s been fun time. I was not feeling great when we got shot into vacuum, but I’ve been sleeping a lot … enjoying the view, the experience and learning anew, like a baby.”

The team also included a floating toy swan named “Joy”, which acts as a zero‑G indicator and symbolises wisdom and focus amid distractions

🌍 Broader Impact

• International collaboration: Axiom-4 marks a successful partnership between NASA, ISRO, ESA, SpaceX, and a private firm — reinforcing global cooperation in space exploration
• India’s roadmap: This mission is a crucial step toward ISRO's planned 2027 human flight, its own space station by 2035, and an astronaut mission to the Moon by 2040

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✅ In Summary

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission is a defining moment for Indian space history. Beyond personal achievement, it marks India’s transition from passenger to active participant in complex orbital missions, strengthening its credentials on the world stage of space exploration.

Stay tuned as Shukla and the Axiom‑4 team conduct experiments in orbit—and bring back invaluable insights for India’s forthcoming space endeavours.

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