India just reached another level in space history. On June 26, Axiom-4 successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS)—and on board was Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, ISRO’s first astronaut to reach the ISS.
The mission, known as Axiom-4, launched on June 25 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft “Grace” carried four astronauts: ISRO’s Shukla, former NASA legend Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu.
The docking happened early—at 4:05 PM IST— with the Dragon spacecraft locking onto the Harmony module of the ISS without a glitch. NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers monitored the whole automated process closely.
Once on board, the crew was welcomed by Expedition 73’s seven-member team. They followed safety checks and immediately got into prep mode for their packed two-week schedule.
Watch Dragon and the Ax-4 astronauts dock with the @Space_Station https://t.co/ObPHodyVlf
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 26, 2025
Why Axiom-4 Is a Big Deal
This mission is Axiom Space’s most science-loaded trip yet. For India, it’s even bigger. Group Captain Shukla is not just flying the flag—he’s piloting the mission.
For ISRO, this is the first human presence on the ISS, made possible by international collaboration with NASA and Axiom Space. It’s also a first for Poland and Hungary, whose astronauts are staying on the ISS for an extended mission for the very first time.
Shukla: “It’s not just my moment—it’s ours”
Speaking live from orbit, Group Captain Shukla described the launch in one word: magical.
“You feel a strong push into the seat, then suddenly… silence. You’re weightless. Floating. It’s magical,” he said.
He also thanked everyone who made the mission happen:
“This experience belongs to everyone who played a role. It’s not just my moment—it’s ours.”
Science on the Menu
The Axiom-4 mission isn’t just about breaking records—it’s about pushing the limits of science. The crew will run joint experiments by NASA and ISRO. Some of the highlights include:
- Muscle regeneration in microgravity
- Growing edible microalgae
- Testing how aquatic microbes survive in space
- Understanding how humans interact with digital displays in zero gravity
This kind of research could shape the future of human space travel and even help us here on Earth.
This is not just another space story.
This is India, Poland, and Hungary stepping onto a bigger stage, shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world.
