In a moment that blends science, sentiment, and national pride, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has officially become the second Indian ever to reach space — four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s iconic mission in 1984. Shukla, along with astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary, successfully docked their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft “Grace” with the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this evening as part of the Axiom Mission 4.
The mood aboard the ISS was celebratory. Live visuals from the orbiting laboratory captured the warm welcome the new arrivals received — hugs, smiles, and laughter flowed freely between the old and new crew. In a charming personal touch, Group Captain Shukla brought along homemade-style comfort food: carrot halwa, moong dal halwa, and mango nectar, adding a distinctly Indian flavor to the mission.
The crew will remain aboard the ISS for the next 14 days, during which they will carry out over 60 cutting-edge experiments. These include research on microalgae cultivation in microgravity, sprouting salad seeds in space conditions, and studying the resilience of tardigrades — the tiny, famously tough microorganisms — in extraterrestrial environments.
This mission is not just about scientific exploration but also a symbolic leap forward for India’s space ambitions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) views this mission as a crucial milestone leading up to the nation’s first independent human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme, scheduled for 2027.
As the astronauts settle into their orbital home, they carry with them not just food or equipment, but the aspirations of millions. Group Captain Shukla’s journey is a reminder of how far India has come — and how much further it plans to go among the stars.
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