Shubhanshu Shukla creates history; first Indian astronaut to enter ISS

New Delhi (India) June 27: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history on Thursday when the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission successfully docked with the orbiting laboratory, twenty-eight hours after their launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS.

He felt better when he got to the orbital laboratory. According to Shubhanshu Shukla, he was fortunate to be one of the few people who had seen Earth from that angle.

He said, "I am astronaut 634. It is a privilege to be here. The minute I entered the International Space Station and met this crew, you just made me feel so welcome, as if you literally opened your doors, like your house doors, for us." 

He added that it's “a privilege to be among the few who have had the chance to see Earth from this vantage point.”

He also said, “I think this is fantastic, this is wonderful and I am very confident that the next 14 days are going to be amazing, advancing science and research, and working together.”

Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson also gave the astronaut pin to Shukla, who joined three other astronauts in entering the ISS. He made space travel history as the 634th astronaut.

For the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla is the mission pilot and veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is the mission commander with mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

The Ax-4 team will work with the Expedition 73 crew for about 14 days on the ISS, carrying out over 60 scientific experiments and educational outreach programs. This is the most extensive research program of any Axiom mission to date.

The mission formally starts the crew's two-week stay aboard the ISS, where they will conduct technology demonstrations, scientific research and outreach programs in a microgravity setting.

The first ISRO-affiliated astronaut to be sent to the space station was a promise made by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This mission represents a significant partnership between NASA and ISRO.

The agencies' long-standing collaboration to advance scientific research and space exploration is reflected in the five science projects and two STEM-focused in-orbit displays they are performing together.

Shukla was also formally named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024 as one of the astronauts receiving advanced training for the Gaganyaan mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2025.

Aadrika Tayal