Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot from the Indian Air Force and ISRO astronaut, is on the verge of creating history as the first Indian to dock at the International Space Station (ISS).
The Axiom-4 mission, which lifted off successfully aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, is expected to dock at the ISS on June 26 at approximately 4:30 PM IST.
Shukla, affectionately called ‘Shux’ by his fellow crew members, will play a pivotal role in the autonomous docking process as the designated pilot of the mission. His responsibilities include monitoring the spacecraft’s trajectory, orbital positioning, and coordinating with the ISS systems during the final docking sequence.
Joining him on this landmark 14-day mission are Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Together, they will conduct around 60 scientific experiments, including seven led by Shukla, focusing on microgravity research.
This mission also marks a significant chapter in ISRO-NASA cooperation, with both agencies engaging in five joint scientific investigations and two STEM-related demonstrations in orbit.
The Axiom-4 mission is not only a personal milestone for Shukla but a proud moment for India, reflecting the nation’s growing stature in global space exploration.
