Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot from the Indian Air Force, scripted history on Wednesday, June 25, becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) lifted off shortly after noon IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
This is the first Indian government-sponsored human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic journey in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. The mission is also seen as a precursor to India’s much-awaited Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space by late 2026 or early 2027. ISRO has reportedly earmarked Rs 550 crore for the programme.
Shukla, one of the four astronauts shortlisted for Gaganyaan, will reach the ISS on Thursday after an estimated 28-hour journey aboard the Crew Dragon capsule. His role on Ax-4 is significant as pilot of the Dragon spacecraft. He is expected to gain key operational experience that will feed directly into India’s future human spaceflight missions.
During the 14-day stay at the ISS, the crew will conduct around 60 scientific studies and commercial activities in microgravity representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.
Shukla will partake in experiments aimed to advance the technologies to build Axiom’s own space station, and the effect of microgravity on cyanobacteria -- a type of bacteria that has an anaerobic pathway.
The bacteria , capable of converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, was also responsible for the generation of oxygen on Earth.
“Cyanobacteria are being studied to see how well they can perform the activity in microgravity and the possibility of utilising them for future missions to provide an environment, an oxygen-rich environment for the crew who is going to stay,” Shukla told IANS, during an exclusive interview in March.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their best wishes to IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Wednesday for embarking on a historic mission to become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). They congratulated him for taking India's journey to the ISS and making Indians proud.
"As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian's journey into the stars. He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam',” said President Murmu.
Extending her wishes, the President added, "My best wishes for the success of this mission, which reflects the enduring partnership between NASA and ISRO. The wide-ranging experiments to be performed by the crew will lead to new frontiers of scientific studies and space exploration."
PM Modi also congratulated Shukla and wished him and the other astronauts success.
"We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US," he said in a post on X.
"The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success!" the Prime Minister added.
With IANS inputs.